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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hawks Keep Spokane Reeling, 3-1 Indians Get A Timely Day Off Today After Losing Streak Hits Four Games

Following its series-opening Northwest League win over the Boise Hawks last weekend, the Spokane Indians had visions of first place dancing in their heads.

Four straight losses later, though, the Indians head to Northern Division-leading Bellingham this weekend hoping to climb back into contention.

Boise pitcher Travis Thurmond posted just the second complete game of the season in the NWL as the Hawks cruised to a fourth straight win, 3-1, Tuesday night at Seafirst Stadium.

The right-handed Thurmond (4-1) scattered five hits and used six strikeouts over the final four innings to squelch Spokane’s (13-20) comeback hopes.

Injured Boise first baseman Danny Buxbaum apologized to Thurmond after the ballgame because he felt somewhat responsible for Spokane’s lone run.

Buxbaum was clocking Thurmond on the radar gun during the game, but left for one batter in the seventh inning to get a soft drink.

That one batter, James Vida, one of the hottest hitters in the league, slammed his third home run of the season.

Vida finished 3 of 4, raising his average to .389, second-best in the league.

The only question Tuesday was whether Thurmond would be allowed to finish the game. He’d gone just three innings in a no-decision outing in his most recent start.

“I just looked over at ‘Kotch’ (Boise manager Tom Kotchman) after the eighth inning and nodded,” Thurmond said. “I wanted to finish it really, really bad.”

Thurmond got his wish, coaxing two ground-ball outs, including a sharp grounder by Vida, and finished with a strikeout. Boise, which trails Southern Division-leading Portland by a half game, improved to 21-12.

Spokane manager Al Pedrique hopes a day off today will revive the Indians.

“We haven’t played baseball in the last week; we’ve come out expecting to lose,” he said. “We go to Bellingham and have a chance to get back into the pennant race.”

, DataTimes