Indians hold off Bears

YAKIMA – The Spokane Indians took care of business early – scoring eight runs in the top of the second inning – and then held on for a 9-7 win over the Yakima Bears in Northwest League baseball play on Tuesday night.

The front-running Indians’ fourth straight victory increased their lead over second-place Tri-City to two games. The Dust Devils dropped a 5-3 decision to the Boise Hawks.

The Bears (6-9) jumped out to a 1-0 lead against Spokane starter Wilfredo Boscan in the bottom of the first inning on Collin Cowgill’s seventh home run of the season.

The Indians (11-4) responded quickly against Yakima starter Terry Hose.

Jared Bolden singled to open the top of the second and moved to second when Dennis Guinn was hit by a pitch. Eric Fry reached first on a fielder’s choice groundout that erased Guinn and advanced Bolden to third base. Doug Hogan stepped up and belted his first home run of the season to put Spokane up 3-1. Edward Koncel singled, stole second and moved to third when Kyle Higgins was safe on an error by Yakima third baseman Andrew Fie. David Paisano and Matthew West followed with RBI singles to stretch the lead to 5-1. Paisano scored and West took third when Yakima shortstop Justin Parker misplayed a Joey Butler grounder. Jared Bolden doubled home West to make it 7-1 and Butler scored on a wild pitch to cap the rally. That was it for Hose. Bears reliever Daniel Vasquez entered and struck out Guinn and Fry to end the inning.

Yakima cut the lead to 8-2 when Fie homered to lead off the bottom of the second.

Spokane got the run right back in the top of the third when Higgins ripped a two-out double and scored on a single by Paisano.

Boscan (4-0) allowed just the two solo homers in his five innings of work to earn the victory. He struck out three, walked one and lowered his ERA to 2.55.