Salem-Keizer hands Spokane Indians fourth loss in a row

KEIZER, Ore. – Salem-Keizer jumped out to a big early lead and then breezed to a 12-7 victory over the Spokane Indians in Northwest League baseball action Saturday at Volcanoes Stadium.

The Volcanoes (6-11) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when they opened with four straight singles off Indians starter Roman Mendez (1-1).

Salem-Keizer buried the Indians with a five-run second inning – using five singles, a walk and an error to plate the runs.

It’s the fourth straight loss for Spokane (8-9).

The Indians tried to get back in the game – scoring three runs in the top of the third inning to cut the deficit to 7-3.

Brett Nicholas led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Kevin Torres. Jared Hoying followed with a single to score Nicholas and send Torres to second. Jurickson Profar walked to load the bases with nobody out. Michael Olt plated Torres with a sacrifice fly and Andrew Clark’s groundout scored Hoying.

The Indians cut the lead to 7-4 with a run in the top of the fifth.

Torres led off with a single and moved to third on a double by Hoying. Olt’s groundout scored Torres.

The Volcanoes got the run back with a score in their half of the inning, but Spokane pulled within 8-6 with a two-run sixth inning.

Joshua Richmond opened with a single and was erased on a Jacob Skole fielder’s choice. Santiago Chirino tripled home Skole and scored on a Nicholas single.

But that was as close as the Indians would get.

The Volcanoes jumped on reliever Jimmy Reyes for four runs – piling up three singles, a double, a hit batter and a wild pitch in the inning to wrap up the victory.

Spokane’s final run came in the seventh on a solo home run to left-center field by Olt – his sixth of the season.