Indians Squander Leads, Rally To Down Everett, 9-8

The Spokane Indians had early five- and six-run leads against Everett Monday night, and the Aqua Sox knew they had the Indians right where they wanted them.

Although Spokane won the Northwest League baseball game 9-8 in the bottom of the ninth inning, it was the second straight night in which the Indians failed to protect early leads.

For the past couple of nights, the Indians have resembled someone whose lover has given them too much attention and affection early on.

You know what happens.

The whole thing is no longer a challenge. Boredom and complacency set in. One tends to take the love - err, lead for granted.

Monday night, Spokane held a 5-0 lead after two innings and an 8-2 lead after five before Everett stormed back in the top of the sixth with six runs to make it a tie game.

“I’m glad we won the game, but it wasn’t pretty,” Indians manager Al Pedrique said.

Spokane got the win when William Roland hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Tony Miranda from third base with the bases loaded.

“But it still should have never come to that,” Pedrique said. “We should have won that game without any problems.”

Also for the second straight night, Ferris grad Matt Sachse almost helped shatter Spokane’s heart. Sachse batted 3 for 4, scored once and drove in a run.

To begin the game, Indians pitcher Hal Hodge looked good. Through five innings he allowed just four hits. In the sixth, however, he walked two batters and hit another before being removed.

Reliever Bryan Judice came in and gave up a double, two singles and walked a batter before being replaced by Craig Sanders, who mercifully got the Indians out of the inning and preserved the chance for victory.

“That inning was just embarrassing,” Pedrique said. “We still haven’t learned that you’ve got to play this game for 27 outs.”

Spokane’s first five runs were unearned and came off just three hits. Everett third baseman Randy Vickers had two errors in the inning.

In the fifth, Spokane added three more runs on two hits as Everett pitchers hit two Spokane batters and walked another.

In the final inning, James Vida was intentionally walked to load the bases before Roland delivered the game-winning hit.

Sanders got the win for Spokane to move his record to 2-1. Gryboski absorbed the loss to slide to 1-4.

, DataTimes