Indians survive heat, trip Tri-City

PASCO – The 104-degree heat agreed with the visiting Spokane Indians on Monday.

Spokane survived the scorching sun to top the Tri-City Dust Devils 3-1 in a Northwest League baseball game at Giesa Stadium.

The Indians, who moved within two games of .500 at 8-10, opened the scoring in the third when Brandon Garcia, who reached base on a double, was knocked in by a single from Saquan Johnson.

Spokane increased the lead to 2-0 in the fifth. After Garcia walked, he scored on a single by Chris Garia.

Tri-City (6-12) cut the lead to 2-1 moments later.

Starting pitcher Yohander Mendez (1-1) went five strong innings for Spokane, allowing just three hits and no earned runs and lowering his earned run average (1.02). Travis Dean and John Straka combined for a hold in 3 2/3 innings before Justin Sprenger pitch one third to record his second save.

Spokane added an insurance run in the sixth. Cam Schiller’s run-scoring single plated Ryan Cordell, who led off the inning with a single.

The Indians got to Tri-City starter Johendi Jiminian (0-2) for eight hits and three runs in five innings.

Cordell and Garcia led Spokane with two hits apiece.

The Indians and Dust Devils face off in the middle game of the three-game set tonight. Spokane returns home Thursday when it begins a five-game series with Eugene.