Spokane Indians’ new player wins against Dust Devils
Melo helps Spokane snap three-game streak
PASCO – New Indians pitcher Carlos Melo pitched five effective innings and Michael Olt homered Saturday night as Spokane ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 Northwest League win over the Tri-City Dust Devils at Gesa Stadium.
Melo (1-0), assigned to Spokane earlier in the day from the Arizona rookie league, allowed one hit and one earned run, striking out three and walking four. Ben Rowen (1.09 ERA) pitched the ninth for his first save.
Olt’s two-run homer in the sixth, his ninth of the season, gave Spokane a 5-1 cushion.
Josh Richmond went 3 for 4 with an RBI double during Spokane’s two-run first. League MVP Jared Hoying, in his second game back after missing seven days with a hamstring injury, added an RBI double in the fourth. It was Hoying’s 51st RBI but his first since Aug. 26.
Spokane is 6-5 against T-C this season and is assured of having a .500 or better record against every team in the NWL.
The NWL regular season ends tonight. Spokane, the East Division first-half champion, advances to postseason.
Spokane opens the best-of-3 divisional playoffs at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Yakima. The series shifts to Spokane on Tuesday and, if necessary, Wednesday. Both game are set for 6:30 p.m.