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Spokane Indians

Starling Joseph drives in three to lead Spokane Indians over Salem-Keizer

From staff reports

KEIZER, Ore. – Starling Joseph drove in three runs and the Spokane Indians beat the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 8-3 in the second of a four-game Northwest League series Tuesday.

Joseph went 1 for 3 with two walks and scored twice and Jonah McReynolds went 2 for 4 with a run and RBI. Cristian Inoa and David Garcia had two hits apiece for the Indians (4-1).

Right-hander Florencio Serrano, 19, made his pro debut for the Indians and had a rocky start. In the first inning he loaded the bases on a single and two walks. With two down, Ricardo Genoves’ hard grounder to short was misplayed by Inoa, which allowed a run to score.

The Indians responded in the second. McReynolds and Maxwell Morales were hit by pitches from Volcanoes starter Alex DuBord and David Garcia singled to load the bases. Stanley Martinez grounded into a force at second but beat the relay throw and McReynolds scored.

DuBord then walked Jayce Easley and Obie Ricumstrict to force in another run, which ended his evening.

Reliever Trevor Horn delivered a third straight walk, to Joseph, to plate another and make it 3-1.

Salem-Keizer (3-2) scored two in the bottom half of the second as Kwan Adkins doubled, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by Serrano on a pickoff attempt. Jeff Houghtby (2 for 4, run) followed with an RBI single to tie it.

Serrano’s night ended after 1 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts and three stolen bases against.

Luis Asuncion doubled to lead off the third, took third on McReynolds’ infield single and scored on a dribbler to the pitcher by Morales on a play the batter was ruled out after leaving the baseline.

With two on and no outs in the fourth, Joseph ripped a two-run double. Inoa followed with a single to put runners at the corners and McReynolds cashed in Joseph with a single to make it 7-3.

The Indians added another run in the sixth. Joseph led off with a walk, went to second on Inoa’s single and scored on an error on a fielder’s choice attempt.

Juan Mejia earned the win with 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief. He allowed one hit, no walks and struck out two. Teodoro Ortega added two scoreless relief innings with no hits and two strikeouts.