Ems bounce back to shut out Bears

EUGENE, OR - The Bears got a strong start from Cody Wheeler, in his first appearance since coming off of Tommy John surgery. Wheeler went 5 innings allowing a hit and a walk. Wheeler struck out five including striking out the side in order in the 2nd. The Ems wouldn't get their first hit until one out in the 5th, and even that was just a pop-up by Rodney Daal that Center Fielder Joe Loftus broke back on and couldn't recover to make the play.

Ems starter Mike Watt was making a rehab start form High-A Lake Elsinore and went just one inning allowing a hit but nothing else. Genison Reyes came on to give the Ems 4 strong shutout innings without allowing a hit. Reyes was behind in the count all night but was able to get out of it allowing just two walks.

In the top of the 6th inning after Audo Vicente went to his bullpen, Frank Santana got two quick outs before allowing a single to River Stevens. After an Alberth Martinez single and a walk to pinch hitter Clark Murphy, Yair Lopez broke the scoreless tie with a 2-RBI single to right. The Ems would add an insurance run in the 8th created by Ronnie Richardson. A leadoff single, a steal of second and a couple of groundouts was all the speedy Center Fielder needed to give the Ems a 3-0 lead.

Eugene used 5 pitchers to secure their first shutout of the season. Ryan Kelly picked up the save after pitching two scoreless innings allowing just 1 hit.

The Bears and Emeralds will wrap up this 5-game set Tuesday night at 7:05pm.