Indians fall two back of Bears after sweep
Yakima limits Spokane to four hits in rout
YAKIMA – Brad Wilson limited Spokane to one earned run over 51/3 innings for his first victory of 2010 as the Yakima Bears beat the Indians 11-4 in Northwest League baseball Friday night.
The first-place Bears (10-6 in the second half) completed a three-game sweep of Spokane and moved two games ahead of the Indians in the East Division.
Spokane starter Nicholas McBride (1-4) took the loss, allowing six runs – five earned – on seven hits over three innings.
Wilson (1-3) held the Indians (8-8) to two runs on two hits, striking out four and walking two.
McBride was relieved by Francisco Mendoza, who pitched only the fourth inning and faced nine Bears hitters. He allowed three runs – all earned – walked five and allowed one hit. He struck out the side, but left with the Indians in a 9-0 hole.
Spokane did all of its scoring in the sixth inning. Santiago Chirino reached on an error, and advanced to second on Michael Olt’s single. After Andrew Clark flied out, Joshua Richmond walked to load the bases.
Clark Murphy then grounded out, and Chirino scored the Indians’ first run of the night. Jacob Skole then walked, reloading the bases for Brett Nicholas, whose bases-clearing double closed the scoring for Spokane.
The Indians missed out on another bases-loaded situation in the fifth. Skole’s one-out single was followed by Nicholas walking and Kevin Rodland being hit by a pitch. Ryan Strausborger then grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Seven batters were hit by pitches Friday, including twice for Rodland.
Spokane opens a five-game series at Salem-Keizer tonight at 5:05. The Volcanoes (6-11) are in last place in the West Division.