Fast start sends Indians to blowout win

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The adage a leadoff walk always comes around to score was just the beginning for the Spokane Indians on Thursday night. LaDarius Clark took a free pass, stole second and later scored on a Dylan Moore double as the Indians rushed to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back during a 17-2 rout of the host Canadians (6-9) in a Northwest League game at Nat Bailey Stadium. Moore added a grand slam during a five-run fourth inning and finished the game with six runs batted in as the Indians (8-7) saw every starter record at least one hit and the team recorded its third straight win. Clark followed his first plate appearance with three singles and a home run for his second four-hit game of the season, raising his batting average to .404. Spokane scored seven runs in the eighth inning after the second out was recorded, tallying six hits and two walks while forcing two pitching changes. Joe Palumbo (2-1) pitched six innings of three-hit ball and allowed two runs, both unearned, while striking out five to earn the victory. The Indians were 9 for 18 at the plate with runners in scoring position, while the Canadians were just 0 for 3. Hoppe traded The Texas Rangers traded Indians right-handed pitcher Jason Hoppe to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for 2015 international slot compensation. Hoppe is in his second professional season, both with Spokane. The Minnesota native tossed 38 innings with a 4.97 ERA and 38 strikeouts in his Spokane career.