Indians Scorch League-Leading Hawks

The Spokane Indians became the first Northwest League team this year to win a series at Boise.

They needed one-half inning to all but cinch the honor.

Powered by a seven-run first that lasted nearly 30 minutes, Spokane (42-27) humbled the Hawks 13-0 Thursday at Memorial Stadium.

The Indians have one other shutout this year: 13-0 at Eugene on July 24.

Spokane won the series 2-1, although Boise (45-25) finished with an 8-4 edge in the season series. Boise is 28-7 at home.

Spokane cut Boise’s lead in the North Division to three games with six left. Boise’s magic number is three, as any combination of Hawks wins or Indians losses totaling three will give Boise the title.

Because of Boise’s season-series advantage, Spokane must compile a better record to win the division. Head-to-head competition is the NWL’s tiebreaking consideration.

Spokane starter Kris Wilson (4-3) pitched six strong innings, striking out seven and allowing five hits. Justin Lamber’s three scoreless innings earned him his fourth save.

Spokane’s Rod Metzler, who played second base and right field, drove in five runs with a single, triple and groundout. His sacrifice bunt in the first, which Boise starter Greg Jones threw into right field and right fielder Jay Nunley misplayed, started the rout by scoring leadoff hitter Merrell Ligons and allowing Metzler to score.

Two hits, two walks, one passed ball and another error later, Metzler delivered a two-run single for a 7-0 edge, equaling Spokane’s most productive inning of the year as it sent 12 batters to the plate.

During Spokane’s fifth, Carlos Pagan had an RBI single and scored on Metzler’s two-run triple to center.

Davis Willis added an RBI single and Rico Montas an RBI groundout in the sixth. Pagan singled in the eighth and scored on Metzler’s groundout.

Ligons went 3 for 5 and scored twice. Pagan was 2 for 5 and aboard four times.

Spokane’s season high for runs is 14, Aug. 10 against Portland. The Indians’ 15 hits were two shy of their season best.

The Indians begin their final homestand of the year at 7:05 tonight, with the first of three against Everett. Spokane is 7-2 against the AquaSox.

Tonight’s featured attraction is the mascot Sport, formerly the Phillie Fanatic with Philadelphia.

Record in sight

The Indians must average 3,979 fans in their final three games to break their per-game attendance record for the fourth consecutive season.

Spokane has drawn 168,966 patrons for 35 Northwest League home games, an average of 4,828 per game.

The Indians drew 180,903 for 38 openings in 1996, or an average of 4,761. Other top season marks are an average of 4,219 in 1994 and an estimated 4,095 in 1958, when Spokane played a much-longer schedule in the Pacific Coast League.

If the weather holds, Saturday’s turn-back-the-clock night, when Spokane will dress as the 1902 Spokane Smoke Eaters and Everett as the ‘05 Smoke Stackers, should push the Indians over the necessary total for a record.

Sunday’s home finale, complete with fireworks, should do the trick if Friday and Saturday are disappointing at the gate.

“We are excited about the way Spokane has supported the family entertainment we provide, as well as the quality baseball that has been seen throughout the course of the 1997 season,” said Indians general manager Ripper Hatch.

, DataTimes