Pieters hits Emeralds past Indians again

SPOKANE — Chris Pieters had two hits and two runs batted in as the Eugene Emeralds beat the Spokane Indians 9-3 in Northwest League play in front of a sell-out crowd of 6,995 at Avista Stadium on Saturday.

Eugene improved to 6-1 against Spokane this season.

Spokane tied the game 1-1 in the second after Anderson Tejeda hit a solo home run.

After Eugene added a run in the fourth when Pieters scored on an error, the Emeralds added to their lead in the fifth inning when Pieters hit a two-run double and then scored on a single by Wladimir Galindo.

Tyler Peitzmeier got the win for Eugene (11-5) in relief while Spokane (8-8) starter Tyler Phillips took the loss in the Northwest League game.

For the Indians, Tejeda homered and singled. Charles Leblanc doubled and singled twice, also stealing a base.

The teams will resume the five-game series today at 3:30 p.m.