Spokane Continues Its Ascent

The Spokane Indians combined a wild pitch, groundout and infield error on Thursday to continue their sudden assault on first place.

Mike Robbins (1-2) earned his first professional win as crafty Spokane edged Portland 3-2 before 6,424 spectators during a rare afternoon game in the Northwest League.

The Indians, who captured the series 3-2, have won six of their last eight games. Languishing in last place in the NWL’s Northern Division days ago, the Indians (12-16) have closed within two games of firstplace Bellingham.

Southern Division-leading Portland fell to 18-9 after its second consecutive loss to Spokane.

The Indians are returning home for a five-game series against defending NWL champion Boise. Spokane’s Jason Ritter (2-1) is scheduled to start tonight.

Although Spokane had 10 hits on Thursday - at least one by every starter - its runs came through opportunistic methods.

Spokane trailed 1-0 in the third inning when Mark Melito singled, made second on Patrick Hallmark’s single and took third on a double play. Melito scored on a wild pitch by Portland starter Brady Wuestenhoefer (1-4).

Also against Wuestenhoefer, the Indians took a 2-1 lead in the fifth. Dwayne Lewis had a one-out single, took third on Tony Miranda’s double over the third-base bag and scored on Brett Schafer’s groundout to shortstop.

Two Rockies errors in the eighth put Spokane up 3-1. Schafer reached when first baseman Justin Drizos dropped an easy throw. After James Vida singled, William Roland bounced to short. Vida was forced at second, but Elvis Pena’s relay to first was wide, bringing home Schafer.

Robbins allowed three hits and no earned runs. Brent Kaysner worked the ninth for his first save.