Spokane Makes A’S Latest Victim

Spokane rallied for its sixth consecutive Northwest League victory Saturday night, scoring in the top of the 10th inning to defeat the Southern Oregon Athletics 5-4.

Pat Hallmark, who led off the 10th inning with a single, scored the winning run on William Roland’s one-out grounder that appeared to be a double-play ball - until an errant throw to first base by Southern Oregon shortstop Miguel Tejada.

That breakdown proved more costly than Spokane’s, which transpired in Oakridge, Ore., some 15 hours earlier. The Indians’ team bus broke down at 4 a.m., and the team didn’t arrive in Medford until 8:20. Spokane nonetheless managed its third 10-inning victory in four nights.

David Upchurch (1-0) pitched two innings for the Indians, who jumped to a 2-1 first-inning lead against A’s starter Damon Newman. Newman lasted 3-1/3 innings. Reliever Willy Hilton (1-1) took the loss.

The Indians struck first on Hallmark’s bunt single, and James Vida made it 2-0 with a single to right field.

Spokane stretched its lead to 4-1 in the fourth on Mark Melito’s two-run single.

Collect call from Craig

Indians announcer Craig West left part of his broadcasting equipment in Everett and was forced to call the game via telephone. He didn’t request call-waiting.