Chad Smith has pair of RBI doubles in Spokane Indians’ 3-2 win over Eugene

Chad Smith hit a pair of RBI doubles and the Spokane Indians defeated the Eugene Emeralds 3-2 at Avista Stadium on Sunday.

The Indians, 8-3 in the second half of Northwest League play, nearly lost their one-run lead in the ninth. After right-handed reliever Alex Eubanks fanned two consecutive batters with a runner on second, Miguel Amaya hit a grounder to Cristian Inoa at shortstop. Iona bobbled the ball but recovered to throw home to catcher Matt Whatley, who tagged out Jared Young by inches.

Sunday’s game was tug-a-war between the the Emeralds and the Indians, who were facing each other for the fourth time in the five-game series.

The Indians took the first lead in the third inning with two outs. Miguel Aparicio hit a short line drive to right field and Smith followed with a run-scoring double.

The Emeralds (6-5) answered with a pair of runs in the fifth. Amaya led off with a bloop single to right-center off starting pitcher Cole Ragans and Chris Carrier followed with a homer to center.

Spokane took the lead back in the bottom of the inning. Aparicio’s shallow fly ball was dropped by right fielder Chris Singleton while dodging second baseman Jhonny Bethencourt, and Kole Enright scored from second base.

Smith put the Indians back on top with another double that bounced off the right-field wall and scored Aparicio from first.

Spokane’s relievers allowed Eugene only two hits in the final four innings and recorded six strikeouts.

Noah Bremer, a former Washington Husky who was assigned to Spokane in early July, retired the side in order when he relieved starting Ragans (3-1) in the sixth. He gave up an infield single in the seventh before ending the inning on a pair of groundouts and a strikeout.

Eubanks, a righty from Clemson who came to Spokane on the same plane as Bremer last month, struck out four and gave up one hit in the final two innings to pick up his third save.

Ragans gave up five hits along with Eugene’s two runs while striking out seven and walking none.

Aparicio and Smith finished with two hits apiece, the Indians’ hits of the game.

The Indians host the Emeralds on Monday at 6:30 p.m.