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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hawks heat up in third, defeat Indians 9-1

BOISE – The Spokane Indians struck first, then they struck out.

Three consecutive singles in the first inning produced an early lead that would not hold up as the Boise Hawks defeated the Indians 9-1 Friday night in the opener of a five-game Northwest League series.

Gabriel Roa scored on a single by Ryan Cordell for the Indians’ 1-0 lead in the first. The Indians were on the verge of a big inning, loading the bases with one out. But a strikeout and groundout ended the inning and pretty much the rest of the night for the Indians.

Spokane batters struck out 12 times and managed just two hits after the first inning. The Indians had two base runners after the third.

Boise scored six runs in the third inning, including three on a home run by Kris Bryant. The Hawks added single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth.

On an evening with a game- time temperature of 99 degrees, Boise manager Gary Van Tol had four pitchers throw two innings each and Tyler Bremer pitched the ninth, striking out the side.

Boise’s Sam Wilson (2-0) earned the victory. He has pitched nine innings in five appearances without allowing an earned run.

Yohander Mendez took the loss, allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings. He is 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA.

The loss leaves Spokane at 1-3 in the second half of the Northwest League season. Boise is 2-2.

The Indians won’t have long to dwell on Friday’s loss. Today’s second game of the series begins at 9 a.m. as the oppressive heat is expected to continue.

The series concludes Tuesday, and then the Indians return home for five games against Salem-Keizer prior to the break for the All-Star game, which will be played in Everett on Aug. 6.