Ems throw gem, shut out Spokane

EUGENE, Ore. – Jeremy Hefner and two relievers combined to strike out 15 during a two-hitter Thursday as the Eugene Emeralds defeated the Spokane Indians 5-0 in Northwest League play at Civic Stadium.

Hefner (2-2) allowed Eric Fry’s second-inning single, struck out nine and walked none in five innings.

Justin Baum’s two-run double in the fourth off Derek Holland (3-4) provided the winning runs. Robert Blauer added a two-run double during Eugene’s three-run eighth.

Spokane’s other hit was Davis Stoneburner’s single in the eighth. The Indians’ Ian Gac, who leads the league with 12 home runs, struck out four times.

The five-game series is tied at one apiece heading into tonight.

The Emeralds (29-21) have the second-best record in the NWL, but they trail West Division-leading Salem-Keizer by 11 games.

Eugene would have a six-game lead if it played in Spokane’s East Division. The Indians (21-28) trail Boise by 1 1/2 games and are one-half game ahead of Yakima and Tri-City.