Indians’ Streak Ends In 12-9 Loss At Boise

Danny Buxbaum hit a grand slam home run with two outs in the eighth inning as the Boise Hawks defeated the Spokane Indians 12-9 in a see-saw battle Monday night.

The Indians took a 4-0 lead into the third inning of the Northwest League baseball game against Boise starter Brian Cooper, but the Hawks proceeded to score in every inning from the third through the eighth as Boise halted the Indians’ three-game win streak.

Trent Durrington’s three-run home run to left field in the sixth put Boise ahead 7-4, but Spokane rallied for five runs in the seventh.

Boise reliever Grant Vermillion came into the game with an 8-2 record and 0.96 ERA, but struggled with his control. After walking Spokane’s Emiliano Escandon and allowing James Vida to reach first on a base hit, Vermillion hit both Mark Quinn and Tony Miranda to load the bases.

Leon Weathersby made Vermillion pay for his wildness with a grand slam to right, his first home run of the year, which put the Indians ahead 9-7.

Jonathan Albrecht came in to relieve for Spokane in the seventh, but allowed Ryan Kane to score on a single. Then in the eighth, Albrecht loaded the bases and watched Buxbaum launch his sixth homer.

In the ninth inning, the Indians loaded the bases off Brian Scutero, but Pat Hallmark struck out on a 1-2 count to end the ball game.

Tonight Steve Prihoda (0-2) is scheduled to pitch for Spokane, while Boise will counter with Travis Thurmond (4-1).