The Yakima Bears lost 6-5 in 10 innings in the opening game of the Northwest League season Friday night at PK Park in Eugene, Oregon. The Bears could not overcome Eugene first baseman Clark Murphy, who started the 2012 season by electrifying the 3,569 fans at PK Park.

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Murphy’s stellar night started in the first, when he blasted a three-run home run off of Bears starter Alex Capaul. Capaul would last five innings, with those being the only runs he allowed. After the Bears manufactured a run in the sixth, Murphy answered back with a solo home run to put his team up by three once again. The second Murphy home run and another Eugene run in the seventh were both charged to Victor Capallan, but only one was earned. The Bears tied the game at 5-5 with a four-run eighth inning thanks to several hits and a Eugene error. In the tenth inning Murphy struck again, this time with a walk-off RBI single off of Victor Acosta.

Murphy finished the night 4-for-5, with two home runs, a double, and five RBIs. The only Bears pitcher he didn’t produce runs off of was Enrique Burgos, who tossed two and a third hitless, scoreless innings.

The Bears were led offensively by a trio of players who all collected two hits in the season’s first game. Josh Parr came through with two hits, including a two-run single in the eighth inning. Both Ronnie Freeman and Kevin Medrano began their professional career with two hits. Yogey Perez-Ramos had the other Bears’ hit, his first as a professional.

The Bears used four different pitchers in the extra-inning game, while the Emeralds sent seven men to the mound.

The Bears and Emeralds meet in game two of the five-game series Saturday at PK Park. Right-handed pitcher Miguel Pena of the Bears and right-handed pitcher Will Scott for the Emeralds are the expected starting pitchers. The game is scheduled for a 7:05 start and can be heard on 1460 ESPN Radio Yakima with the pre-game show beginning at 6:50.

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