For Indians, Escandon’s Hit Just Enough Spokane Collects Only Three Hits In 3-0 Win

The last time Emiliano Escandon had a base hit was also about the last time James Vida didn’t.

Both streaks ended Friday as the Spokane Indians survived a meager hitting effort in a 3-0 win over Portland at Seafirst Stadium.

Hal Hodge (3-1) and Craig Sanders combined on the shutout, Spokane’s second of the year. Hodge was also involved in the first, a 4-0 win over Portland (27-14) on July 12.

The Indians, 16-26 in the Northwest League, were held to three hits but needed just one: Escandon’s run-scoring triple in the first inning.

Escandon hadn’t collected a hit since July 1, when he suffered a partial tear in his right (throwing) elbow while turning a double play. Escandon’s batting average had surpassed .300 when the injury occurred.

“You can’t think in the past,” Escandon said. “But unfortunately, when I got hurt I was in a groove.”

Vida had been in a groove since July 9. The NWL’s leading hitter, Vida entered with a 17-game hitting streak.

Vida went 0 for 3 and was left on deck in the eighth when Tony Miranda was thrown out at second base while trying to stretch a single.

”(Miranda) was aggressive on that play, but you have to be smart about who’s coming up,” said Indians manager Al Pedrique.

Spokane won the series 3-2 and the season series against the Southern Division leaders 6-4. Indians pitchers held the Rockies to a .176 batting average during the series.

Spokane hitters weren’t much better, as they accounted for 11 hits in the final three games of the series.

“I guess that puts a little pressure on the pitchers,” said Hodge, who is tied for the club lead in wins. “But the hitters have been hitting the ball; it’s just been right at people.”

Escandon’s triple wasn’t right at anything but the wall in right-center. If Rockies center fielder John Hallead felt comfortable playing so shallow against Escandon, the Indians shortstop understood.

“They see me, that I’m not a big guy (170 pounds), and they don’t expect me to hit it far,” Escandon said.

The three-bagger, Escandon’s first of the season, scored leadoff hitter Dwayne Lewis, who had been hit by a pitch. Escandon scored on a Vida groundout.

Rockies starter Lariel Gonzalez (2-3) had no headaches after the first. Mark Quinn’s single to open the Indians fifth was the only other safety off Gonzalez, who entered with a 5.65 ERA as a starter.

Hodge scattered five singles in five innings and struck out seven. In four innings, Sanders struck out five and held Portland hitless.

“I don’t think you could ask for anything better,” Pedrique said of the pitching. “They threw strikes and worked fast. You have to do that against a team that can run.”

Hodge allowed singles to Justin Drizos and Elvis Jimenez to start the fifth, but settled down with two fly balls and a strikeout.

“The changeup was the only pitch I could get over (the plate) in the fourth and fifth,” Hodge said.

Tyrone Frazier added insurance in the eighth by reaching on a fielder’s choice, stealing second, then scoring on a Lewis groundball that scooted away from first baseman Drizos.

Spokane begins a five-game series at Boise tonight.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON DECK Spokane plays at Boise at 7:05 tonight