Indians’ win streak 5 after rally in 9th

KEIZER, Ore. – The Spokane Indians staged a ninth-inning rally to pull out a 6-5 victory over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and extend their season-high winning streak to five games in Northwest League baseball Tuesday night.

Spokane trailed 5-4 heading into the top of the ninth. Kyle Rhoad got the rally started with a one-out single. After Rhoad stole second base, Joseph Bonadonna walked. Rhoad and Bonadonna pulled off a double steal, although Vincent DiFazio struck out on the play for the second out. Jason Ogata singled to drive in Rhoad with the tying run and Bonadonna scored the go-ahead run when Volcanoes reliever Jose Casilla misplayed a Miguel Velazquez grounder.

Spokane reliever Johnny Gunter retired the heart of the Salem-Keizer order after issuing a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth to notch his first save of the season.

The Indians jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back two-out doubles by DiFazio and Ogata.

The Volcanoes retook the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second against Spokane starter Keith Campbell.

The Indians knotted the score at 2-2 in the top of the third. Rhoad and Bonadonna drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Rhoad stole third on a DiFazio strikeout and scored on a wild pitch.

Spokane came out swinging in the fourth to retake the lead. Tommy Mendonca singled to lead off the inning. Aja Barto followed with a single and both runners scored on a one-out triple by Denny Duron for a 4-2 lead.

Salem-Keizer closed to within a run in the bottom of the fifth thanks to three Spokane errors and a wild pitch.

The Volcanoes added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take a 5-4 lead.

Andrew Doyle (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the victory for Spokane (19-25).

The Volcanoes (30-14) are in the midst of their first three-game skid this season.