Peterson lifts Emeralds past Indians in series opener

| July 28, 2011 9:00 PM

SPOKANE - Jace Peterson stole home and drove in a run to lift the Eugene Emeralds to a 3-2 win over the Spokane Indians in the first game of a five-game Northwest League baseball series on Wednesday in front of 3,955 at Avista Stadium.

Spokane (0-2) took a 1-0 lead on a Yefry Castillo double to score Brett Nicholas with one out in the second inning.

With two out in the third, Donovan Tate singled to score Justin Miller as the Emeralds tied the game and took the lead as Peterson stole home.

Peterson tripled to left with two out in the fifth to give Eugene a 3-1 lead.

Guillermo Pimentel homered leading off the bottom of the fifth for Spokane to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Matthew Stites and Chris Wilkes combined to hold Spokane hitless over the final two innings in relief for Eugene (2-0).

The series continues tonight at 6:30 at Avista.