Indians Remain 0-For-Season

On a whim, Bryan Coyle’s girlfriend and her mother pointed their car toward Spokane on Saturday, delaying a return trip to Vancouver, Wash., from Yakima.

Coyle made their trip worthwhile, and assured that they were quickly back on the road.

Mixing fastballs and a recently discovered change-up, Coyle pitched seven strong innings to lead the Yakima Bears to a 2-0 win over the Spokane Indians at Seafirst Stadium.

The Indians’ Northwest League home opener came on a cool night before 5,636 fans. Nobody became too chilled, however, because Coyle and reliever Kris Foster needed just 2 hours, 17 minutes to seal the win.

Spokane opened its season with two road losses in Yakima. Because Coyle, of Vancouver, didn’t pitch, two of his greatest female fans felt a bit left out.

“They decided to drive here and surprise me,” said Coyle, a Hudson’s Bay High graduate who pitched for Great Falls, Mont., last year.

The Indians were also in for a surprise, but not as pleasant. Coyle checked Spokane on four singles, struck out four and walked two.

Coyle recorded 10 groundouts. He retired the final 10 batters he faced, then turned over the game to Foster, who set down five straight before William Roland’s single with two out in the ninth.

”(Coyle’s) change-up was working great,” said Spokane manager Al Pedrique. “We haven’t had a real break (this year) to get a rally going.”

Coyle said he couldn’t throw a decent change-up until recent advice received in an instructional league.

Coyle’s best friend on the night was 1994 Great Falls teammate Rafael Gross. The Dominican had a run-scoring triple and scored in the second inning, and made several fine plays at third base.

Gross went far to his left in the third to rob Brett Schafer of a hit on a groundball. The gem ended the inning and stranded Mark Melito at third base.

Gross’ one-out triple to center off Spokane starter Daniel Soto (0-1) just eluded Tony Miranda, who turned his back on the ball and nearly chased it down. Nate Rasmussen, who had walked, scored on the triple. Gross scored on a sacrifice fly by Juan Hernaiz.

Soto had no other trouble with Yakima. He allowed three hits in six innings, struck out three and walked three.

“We we happy with the way he threw the ball tonight,” Pedrique said.

“We’ve hit the ball hard. There’s nothing we can do about (a lack of breaks).”

Notes

The Indians start Justin Adam against Yakima today at Seafirst Stadium with game time at 3:05 p.m… . First baseman James Vida was a late scratch from the Indians lineup because of a sore wrist. Vida, off to a torrid 6-for-10 start, pinch-hit with two out in the ninth and struck out… . Indians co-owner and Kansas City Royals vice president of baseball operations George Brett attended the game. Brett said he will return for four or five days later this summer, at which time he will evaluate the Indians more extensively. Brett said Kansas City altered its drafting tactics after moving in the fences and installing real grass at Royals Stadium. K.C.’s top two draft selections were 6-foot-3, 190-pound high school players in the mold of Texas Rangers slugger Juan Gonzalez.

, DataTimes