Indians Doing A Number On Rockies; This One’s 8-5

Perhaps nothing logically explains Spokane’s success against the Portland Rockies, but Tony Miranda has his simple theory.

“We play every day to win,” said the Indians left fielder. “We just happen to win more often against them.”

Miranda lashed a bases-clearing, two-out double to right-center field Tuesday to pave the way in Spokane’s 8-5 victory over the Rockies at Seafirst Stadium.

Portland (25-13) continues to lead the Northwest League’s Southern Division, but not based on its success against Spokane (15-24). The Indians have won the first two games of this five-game series and are 5-2 against Portland this year.

Spokane pulled even with Yakima for third in the Northern Division.

Miranda’s crucial double came on a 3-2 pitch from Rockies starter Jason Romine (0-1), an Omak, Wash., product. The hit gave the Indians a 4-2 edge and led to a fiverun second - the biggest inning against Portland this year.

Romine worked just 2-2/3 innings, the shortest outing by a Portland starter this season.

“One thing (batting coach) Cliff (Pastornicky) has been working on is getting our guys to make contact with two strikes,” said Indians manager Al Pedrique. “Tony came through in a good situation.”

“I knew (Romine) didn’t want to walk me with the bases loaded,” said Miranda, who played for College World Series champion Cal State Fullerton. “I wanted to find a pitch to drive, which I did.”

Spokane reliever Justin Adam (3-3) was brilliant, allowing no hits over 4-1/3 innings. He replaced Jason Ritter in the second after the Indians starter walked three and allowed two runs.

“The way (Adam’s) been throwing, it seems he wants to get back in the starting rotation,” Pedrique said.

Portland went hitless for five consecutive innings after its quick start.

“That was the worst game of the season for us,” said Portland manager P.J. Carey. “We were shabby out there.’

Spokane played one of its better games, especially in terms of clutch hitting. Besides Miranda’s hit, James Vida had a pair of RBI singles to extend innings, and Randy Paulin and Mark Melito lofted sacrifice flies.

“It’s those clutch hits in these situations that we haven’t been able to get this year,” Miranda said.

Vida went 3 for 5, extended his hitting streak to 15 games (and 32 of the last 35) and increased his batting average to .375.

Spokane’s Dwayne Lewis went 3 for 4 before giving way to pinch-hitter Mark Quinn, who made his first appearance since breaking his finger June 20.

Notes

Burly Spokane designated hitter Scott Pinoni continues to rest an injured left wrist that was damaged in the act of swinging the bat. Pinoni hasn’t played since July 16. … League ERA leader Scott Randall (4-0, 0.90) starts for Portland today against Stephen Prihoda (0-1, 3.98). … Today’s game has a rare afternoon start. The game will be the Indians’ third and last with the first pitch at 3:05. … The Kansas City Royals will conduct a tryout camp at 10 a.m. Friday at Seafirst Stadium. Players 15-23-years-old are invited and must provide their own equipment. American Legion players need written permission from their coach.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed from the Idaho edition.