Indians fall in Boise, helping Tri-City clinch first-half title

BOISE – Paul Hoilman hit a grand slam during Boise’s nine-run fifth inning that propelled the Hawks to a 13-6 victory over the Spokane Indians in Northwest League action Sunday night.

The Indians fell to 19-18 with the loss and helped Tri-City, which beat Yakima 10-4, clinch the first-half title in the Northwest League’s East Division. Spokane fell two games behind the first-place Dust Devils (21-16) with one game to go.

Boise sent 13 men to the plate during the fifth inning to turn the Indians’ 2-1 lead into a 10-2 deficit. Wilson Contreras had an RBI single and a two-run triple in the inning.

Spokane starter Victor Payano (1-4) took the loss after allowing seven runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. Payano opened the fifth by allowing four singles, a double and a walk. Leonel De Los Santos replaced Payano with the bases loaded and one out and allowed Hoilman’s grand slam and hit a batter before being ejected by home plate umpire J.J. January.

Andres Perez-Lobo finished the inning for the Indians, allowing a walk and Contreras’ triple before striking out Kenny Socorro looking. Perez-Lobo pitched a perfect sixth before Phil Klein pitched the final two innings, allowing three runs on two hits.

Spokane made things interesting with a four-run eighth inning. Hirotoshi Onaka tripled to lead off the inning. Edwin Garcia reached on an error that allowed Onaka to score, and Ruben Sierra’s ensuing double drove in Garcia. After Brett Nicholas grounded out, Sierra was out at third on Trever Adams’ fielder’s choice. Guillermo Pimentel then singled, and he and Adams scored on Yefry Castillo’s first triple of the season. Nick Vickerson then struck out swinging to end the threat.