Hillsboro edges Spokane Indians on bases-loaded hit by pitch

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Thursday’s Northwest League game at Ron Tonkin Field hurt both teams, but the host Hops didn’t mind the pain. Spokane Indians reliever Jeffrey Springs hit Trevor Mitsui with a pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of a 1-all game and Hillsboro (12-10) opened the five-game series with a 2-1 victory. Springs (0-1), the third Indians pitcher, loaded the bases by also hitting Stephen Dezzi with a pitch. The Indians (12-10) had their three-game winning streak snapped and fell two games behind first-place Everett in the North Division. Indians center fielder LeDarious Clark went 0 for 5 and saw the end to his 18-game hitting streak. Hillsboro led 1-0 after Zach Nehrir’s RBI single to right field in the third. The hit scored Sergio Alcantara, who had also singled to right and advanced on a wild pitch and groundout. Spokane tied the game at 1 in the seventh when Dylan Moore scored on a passed ball by Jose Queliz. Moore led off with a single and moved up on a walk and groundout. Spokane loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but Ryan Burr (2-0) relieved to get a lineout and strikeout.