Ex-Longhorn Hits ‘Em Hard As Indians Rip Timberjacks
Hook ‘em, Horns.
This inspirational ditty, courtesy of the University of Texas, finally applied to the Spokane Indians Wednesday afternoon.
Texas product Jason Layne drove in five runs - as did Kit Pellow who hit two long home runs - to guide Spokane (18-25) to a 17-2 laugher over Southern Oregon.
The first three games of the Northwest League series at Seafirst Stadium belonged to Southern Oregon, including Tuesday’s strong effort by ex-Longhorns pitcher Jake Odell. Another who matriculated in Austin, outfielder MacGregor Byers, was 5 for 10 in the Timberjacks’ three wins.
Payback came Wednesday, as first baseman/cleanup hitter Layne sent a few gifts to his old college buddies.
“I’ve stayed in touch with MacGregor, even after the (amateur) draft,” Layne said. “We’re pretty good friends. We didn’t get a chance to (talk in Spokane), but it’s that kind of a friendship.”
Even pals are targets on the diamond, however, and the Longhorns of the Timberjacks variety had humbled Spokane since Sunday.
Layne had taken enough joshing from his cohorts. He doubled in a run during a four-run first inning, singled in another in a three-run second, then cleared the bases with another double in the fifth. Spokane led 13-2 after five.
“I think today proves what kind of team we have,” said the left-handed Layne. “We had great pitching from (starter Steve) Hueston (2-1) and (Jake) Chapman, and solid hitting from Pellow and (Kris) Didion.”
Brandon Berger, too. The left fielder scored four runs and finished 3 for 4 to raise his average to .335 - third in the league.
Layne, climbing toward .290, has found a home at the clean-up spot, which he assumed July 19.
“A few weeks ago, I was hitting sixth,” Layne said. “Then one day, I looked at the lineup card and I was fourth. I didn’t think that much of it. It was just another chance to produce.”
Layne transferred to Texas from Tyler (Texas) Junior College. He served as a fill-in as a junior then became designated hitter this past season.
Because he never played in the field, he didn’t attract scouts. Undrafted, he signed as a free agent with Kansas City and came to Spokane along with another former Longhorn, catcher Roman Escamilla.
“(Playing DH at Texas) hurt me the first couple of weeks here because I wasn’t used to playing first base,” Layne said.
Initially, Kansas City insisted on solid playing time for first baseman Doug Blosser, a third-round 1995 draftee who was assigned to Spokane on a rehabilitation assignment. Blosser, however, was recently sent home, giving Layne more playing time.
Wednesday, Layne scored on Pellow’s three-run homer in the first, a deep blast to left-center field. Pellow tied Berger for the team lead with his 10th homer, a two-run blast to left, in the eighth. Pellow ranks second in the league with 46 RBIs.
Didion connected for his fourth homer, a long shot to left-center to lead off the third inning.
Today, the Indians take their second day off of the season. They begin a three-game series at division-leading Bellingham on Friday, with Scott Mullen (2-2, 4.03 earned-run average) scheduled to start.
“The guys came out and played hard today,” said Indians manager Bob Herold. “I didn’t say this, but if we hadn’t played well, there would have been a workout (today).”
Notes
Spokane second baseman Kenderick Moore played for the first time since injuring a leg July 7. At that time, Moore stood second in NWL stolen bases. He still was tied for second when he returned on Wednesday… . Indians reliever Jamie Burton (0-1, 5.40) has been sent home. Burton last worked on Monday, when he faced two batters - walking one and hitting the other.
, DataTimes