Portland Slips Past Spokane

Facing David Nied was enough of a challenge.

The Portland Rockies made life even tougher on the Spokane Indians Tuesday by throwing Marc D’Alessandro into the mix.

D’Alessandro (5-0), the most successful pitcher in the Northwest League, allowed no earned runs and struck out five in five innings of relief as Portland beat Spokane 3-1.

D’Alessandro relieved Nied in the fourth inning. Nied, on a rehabilitation assignment from the Colorado Rockies, allowed one hit and fanned five in three innings during his first action since April.

Portland (18-7) leads the fivegame series 2-1. Spokane is 10-16.

Nied, on his way to Class AA New Haven (Conn.) of the Eastern League, allowed just James Vida’s single in the first inning. D’Alessandro allowed three hits, including Patrick Hallmark’s RBI single.

Spokane starter Allen Sanders (1-2) was sharp, giving up three hits and one earned run in seven innings. The earned run came in the fourth, when Matt Whitley led off with a double and scored on Justin Drizos’ single.

Portland’s Garrett Neubart had a two-out double in the fifth and scored when Indians second baseman Dwayne Lewis fumbled Elvis Pena’s infield single.

Pena’s bunt in the seventh scored John Hallead, who reached on first baseman Scott Pinoni’s error.

Hallmark’s RBI single in the eighth scored Brett Schafer, who reached on an error and advanced on Mark Melito’s single.

Portland reliever Jamie Emiliano earned his league-leading sixth save.

Notes

Spokane outfielder Adam Finnieston, rehabilitating an injured shoulder, has returned home to Miami. Finnieston hit .237 in 10 games, with no extra-base hits and four RBIs. … Indians catcher Juan Robles was sent down to rookie ball at Fort Myers, Fla., of the Gulf Coast League. Fort Myers has injuries to two catchers. Robles was 0 for 9 with Spokane.

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ON DECK Spokane plays at Portland at 7:05 tonight