Indians boot chance at .500 record
Spokane’s chance at a .500 season slipped away with a frustrating night at the plate, in the field and on the mound.
The Indians committed three costly errors and couldn’t come up with a timely hit, falling to the Yakima Bears 5-2 in the penultimate game of the Northwest League baseball season Saturday as 4,577 looked on at Avista Stadium.
Spokane dropped to 36-39 heading into tonight’s season finale. Yakima’s first three runs were unearned and the Bears (28-47) went on to earn just their ninth road win in 37 games.
“We just didn’t have it,” Spokane manager Tim Hulett said. “Defensively, that really kind of set the tone. We made some bad plays early and we never really recovered.”
Yakima’s first three runs were the product of no hits, two walks and three Indians errors.
In the second, Gerson Montilla walked with one out. Matt Helm hit a potential double-play grounder to third, but second baseman Denny Duron mishandled Edward Martinez’s throw, putting runners at first and third. Spokane didn’t execute on Helm’s delayed steal and Montilla raced home before the return throw from second. The ball skipped away from catcher Alberto Puello, allowing Helm to move to third. He scored on Astolfo Inciarte’s sacrifice fly.
Spokane tied it at 2 in the third on Jared Prince’s two-out, two-run homer, a blast well beyond the 365-foot sign in left-center.
The Bears went back in front in the fifth with an inning that looked much like the second. Roberto Rodriguez and Adonys Canelo walked. On a double steal, Rodriguez took third and scored when Puello’s throw got past Martinez at third.
Spokane left at least one runner on base in each of the first six innings. Yakima relievers didn’t allow a base runner in the last three innings.
“Prince got a big hit, and we had a couple other opportunities but we just didn’t get it done,” Hulett said.
Yakima added two insurance runs in the eighth. The Bears loaded the bases with no outs on a single and two walks. Rodriguez’s infield single knocked in one run and the second scored on a double play.
Spokane had seven hits and two walks during starting pitcher Dan Taylor’s five innings, but came away empty outside of Prince’s homer.
“He’s been tough on us all year,” Hulett said. “We’ve faced him 3-4 times and we haven’t hit very well. He has a great change-up.”
Meanwhile, four Indians pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts, but they walked seven.
After Friday’s win, Spokane’s staff ERA dropped below 4.00 for the first time since the beginning of the season. Ex-Gonzaga catcher Tyson Van Winkle is batting .247 for Yakima.