Indians rally to win
Take third game of five-game series
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Matthew West’s two hits don’t show up in the box score but were central to the Spokane Indians’ 5-2 Northwest League baseball victory over the Vancouver Canadians Friday afternoon.
West was hit by pitches in both the seventh and eighth innings and scored both times as the Indians rallied for the victory.
Trailing 2-0 in the seventh inning, the Indians tied the game. They loaded the bases when Joey Butler walked, West was hit by a pitch and Timothy Rodriguez singled to center field. That ended the day for Canadians starting pitcher Carlos Hernandez, who stifled the Indians with just two hits, a walk and seven strikeouts.
Trey Barham relieved and gave up a sacrifice fly to Dennis Guinn. After Edward Koncel struck out, Zach Zaneski singled to right to score West. Pinch-hitter Jared Bolden flied out to end the inning.
Spokane (18-6) took the lead in the next inning with three runs. David Paisano singled off reliever Fabian Gomez (3-2). A sacrifice bunt by Jason Ogata and Butler’s strikeout followed before West was again hit by a pitch.
Rodriguez singled to left to score Paisano. West and Rodriguez then came home on Guinn’s second triple of the season, this one to center field.
The Canadians (9-14) scored their two runs in the third inning off starter Carlos Pimentel on RBI singles by Dusty Napoleon and Jason Christian.
Cliff Springston (1-1), the third of four Indians pitchers got the victory and Corey Young his second save.
The Indians lead the five-game series 2-1. The series concludes with games today and Sunday.