Spokane Indians lose eighth straight, fall to Tri-City 4-3

Chris Mattison hit a two-run double in a three-run first inning and the Tri-City Dust Devils (10-3) held off the Spokane Indians (3-10) 4-3 in Northwest League action at Avista Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Indians’ losing streak reached eight games.

Spokane starter Luis Lopez recorded two outs after a leadoff single by Kelvin Melean, but allowed a walk and a single ahead of Mattison’s double for an early 3-0 Dust Devils lead.

Overall, Lopez pitched four innings and give up three hits, three runs and three walks with three strikeouts.

Joe Barlow and Steven Bruce combined for five innings of one-run relief.

“My best pitch was definitely my sinker tonight,” Bruce said. “Preventing the opposing team from scoring late is everything.”

Tri-City starter Emmanuel Ramirez retired the first nine Indians batters he faced and finished seven innings and allowed five hits, two runs and two walks with four strikeouts.

Spokane struck in the fourth inning. Yohel Pozo walked and eventually scored from second base on an RBI single by outfielder Chad Smith to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Tri-City’s Tre Carter walked to begin the sixth inning against Spokane reliever Joe Barlow. Carter stole second and went to third on a throwing error by Pozo.

Carter scored on a fielder’s choice double-play grounder by Chandler Seagle , which put the Dust Devils ahead 4-1 in the sixth inning.

Spokane responded in their half of the sixth. Charles Leblanc doubled and scored on a single by Andretty Cordero to reduce the Tri-City lead to 4-2.

Miguel Aparicio led off the Spokane eighth with a double and Leblanc added to his strong offensive night with an RBI single to drive Aparicio home and make it a 4-3 game.

Left-handed reliever Travis Radke got the last out of the eighth and recorded a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn the save for Tri-City.

The Indians and Dust Devils meet for the finale of the three-game series on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m..