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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Spokane Cut Down By Thompson’s Single

D. Wayne Upchurch is 6-foot-7. He could have used another inch or so Tuesday.

Bruce Thompson’s chopper over the head of Spokane’s tallest reliever scored Pedro Felix from third in the bottom of the ninth as Bellingham nipped the Indians 4-3.

Spokane second baseman Brett Schafer fielded Thompson’s grounder, but couldn’t throw home in time.

Bellingham (42-29), the Northwest League Northern Division champion, increased its lead over second-place Spokane (33-38). The Giants snapped Spokane’s three-game winning streak and lead the season series 6-5. Spokane is 0-5 at Bellingham.

The winner, as he’s been three times against the Indians this year, was reliever Brian Knolt (5-1).

Felix led off the ninth with a pinch-hit single to left. Ricardo Calderon dropped a bunt that third baseman William Roland threw high to first. After a sacrifice moved up the runners, Thompson bounced his game-winner over the mound.

Spokane jumped on Manuel Bermudez in the first when leadoff batter Dwayne Lewis walked, moved to third on Patrick Hallmark’s infield single and scored on a wild pitch. Mark Quinn’s sacrifice fly, his 33rd RBI, later scored Hallmark.

The Giants’ Deivi Cruz and Teodoro Prospero hit solo home runs off starter Hal Hodge in the first and second, respectively.

The teams traded runs in the fourth. James Vida of Spokane reached on an error, moved to third on Roland’s single and scored on Schafer’s single. The Giants’ Ian Rand singled and scored when Quinn overran Prospero’s single to left.

The Indians finish their schedule against Bellingham tonight, with Steve Prihoda (1-5, 3.38) scheduled to start against Post Falls native Darin Blood (5-3, 2.77). Spokane completes league play with four games against Yakima, including home games Thursday and Friday.

Note

Vida was a unanimous pick for the league’s all-star team. Vida, who mostly played first base, was selected at designated hitter because league MVP Danny Buxbaum of Boise plays first base. The other Spokane player on the team is catcher Hallmark.