Jess Brown

In his third appearance on the mound for Spokane (3-8) this season, Shawn Blackwell struck out three, scattered two hits and didn’t allow any runs to help the Indians put together their first winning streak of the Northwest League season with a 4-1 victory over the Boise Hawks (4-7) in front of 3,295 fans.

The Spokane Shock are on the verge of making franchise history, but that’s not a good thing. The Shock (7-6), who have never missed the postseason, head south for an Arena Football League contest Saturday against the West Division-rival San Jose SaberCats (9-5) looking to keep their playoff hopes alive within the only division in the league in which every team has a winning record. For the most part it’s a must-win game for the Shock, although a loss would not completely squelch their playoff possibilities.

You never forget your first. Ryan Rua liked his so much on Tuesday night that he just may make a habit of it.

In its 25th anniversary year, the Arena Football League finally has something to celebrate this season.

It’s hard to tell if the Vancouver Canadians are off to that hot of a start, or if the Spokane Indians are still thawing out. Either way, things aren’t going the Indians’ way just yet. The good news: The Northwest League season is only four days old.

It’s hard to tell if the Vancouver Canadians are off to that hot of a start, or if the Spokane Indians are still thawing out. Either way, things aren’t going the Indians’ way just yet. The good news: The Northwest League season is only four days old. More good news: The Indians are still technically atop the NWL East Division standings, despite having just one win so far after the Vancouver Canadians beat Spokane 9-1 in front of 2,796 fans on Monday night at Avista Stadium.

Preston Beck knows how to handle life throwing him a curveball. He also knows what to do when faced with the real thing. The Dallas native and Spokane Indians outfielder – who played college ball just a few minutes from the Texas Rangers’ ballpark in Arlington – was 2 for 5 with an RBI double Sunday as Spokane picked up its first win of the season in a 7-3 Northwest League victory over the Vancouver Canadians (2-1) in front of 4,803 fans at Avista Stadium.

The Arena Football League and AFL players union reached a five-year collective bargaining agreement Sunday in Chicago, wrapping up a process that has been hanging over the league all season. Beginning in 2013, the minimum salary will go up to more than $800 per game, and will increase each year throughout the duration of the contract, Shock majority owner Brady Nelson said. While specific terms were not released, Nelson added that some changes will take effect immediately.

One night after being held to a combined three hits, the Indians got the wheels turning on offense, only to see their rally attempt squandered by errors as the Vancouver Canadians went on to an 11-4 Northwest League baseball victory.

Balbino Fuenmayor has opening-night jitters and Spokane Indians third baseman Smerling Lantigua to thank for his first home run of the season. It was Lantigua’s throwing error with two outs in the third inning that gave the Vancouver first baseman an opportunity at the plate that he shouldn’t have had.

The Vancouver Canadians scored four runs in the third inning and went on to spoil the Spokane Indians' home and season opener, defeating the Indians 8-1 Friday night at Avista Stadium.

John Kukuruda remembers stepping onto the mound for his first professional baseball game.

Tim Hulett will spend most of this week as somewhat of a baseball magician as he and his staff stuff three weeks’ worth of training into three days of minicamp. As it is each summer in the Northwest League, he hopes some of that magic will translate onto the field this season.

Tim Hulett will spend most of this week as somewhat of a baseball magician as he and his staff stuff three weeks’ worth of training into three days of minicamp.

In the days leading up to Saturday, the Spokane Shock fielded questions about facing a Kansas City team with a less-than-impressive record. Shock quarterback Kyle Rowley emphasized that Spokane wouldn’t be caught overlooking the Command, who had only two wins heading into the Arena Football League matchup with the last-place team in the National Conference.

In the days leading up to Saturday, the Spokane Shock fielded questions about facing a Kansas City team with a less-than-impressive record.

Spokane native Jon White is part of a thirsty generation that remembers when the elusive Triple Crown was won in the high-stakes Sport of Kings. But today, if only for one day, horse racing – regarded as a dying sport by many – was on track with a new set of keyed-up followers.