Indians lose first road game of Northwest League season

PASCO – Tri-City starting pitcher Angel Acevedo spoiled the first road game of the season for the Spokane Indians (2-4) by striking out five in five scoreless innings during a 5-2 Dust Devils victory at Gesa Stadium in Wednesday night’s Northwest League baseball play.

The right-hander walked two and gave up one hit in his first victory for the Dust Devils (3-3).

Spokane starter Werner Leal (0-1), who was sent down from High-A Down East Wood Ducks on Monday, ran into trouble in the second inning. Left fielder Mason House followed up two singles and a walk with a bases-clearing double that put the Dust Devils ahead 3-0.

Indians center fielder and Rangers No. 3-ranked prospect JP Martinez prevented further damage in the inning with a diving catch that robbed Olivier Basabe.

Leal surrendered three hits, three runs, and a walk while striking out two in two innings.

In his last outing with the Wood Ducks, Leal tossed five strong innings, allowing three hits, including a home run, and striking out four against the Frederick Keys.

The Indians capitalized in the top of the sixth when Tanner Gardner drove in the team’s first run with a single to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Dust Devils restored their three-run lead in the bottom half of the sixth with a sacrifice fly off of reliever Scott Engler.

In the top of the eighth, Gardner’s RBI single to right reduced the Dust Devils’ lead to 4-2.

Gardner finished the night with two singles, a double and two RBIs.

Indians right-handed reliever Ryan Chandler entered in the bottom of the eighth and promptly gave up a hit to each of the two first batters he faced.

The third hitter, House, laced a ball to first basemen Curtis Terry, who committed a throwing error and allowed another run to come across for a 5-2 lead.

Tri-City reliever Nick Kuzia walked one in the ninth but retired left fielder Miguel Aparicio to earn his first save of the season.