Mike Caruso and Damon Minor combined to provide the two big plays that tripped the Spokane Indians 2-1 Tuesday night.

The infielders used their wood in the third inning and their leather in the eighth to drop Spokane (4-4) out of the outright lead in the Northwest League North Division.

Caruso led off the third with a single, moved to second on a balk by Spokane starter Aaron Lineweaver (0-1) and advanced to third on Jose Zuniga’s single. Minor’s one-out single gave the Giants (3-5) a 2-1 lead that never changed.

Spokane, however, threatened in the eighth. Michael Riley walked Kris Didion and Kit Pellow with one out. Robert Crabtree replaced Riley and allowed a bloop single to Brandon Berger to load the bases.

The Bellingham hitting heroes stopped the rally. Carlos Beltran grounded to first baseman Minor, who worked with shortstop Caruso to turn a 3-6-3 double play.

Crabtree allowed Jason Layne’s two-out, pinch-hit double in the ninth, but coaxed Jeremy Giambi’s fly to right to earn the save.

Jose Abreu (1-0), who relieved starter Alberto Castillo in the second, picked up the win. Spokane scored in the second when Beltran walked with one out, Kenderick Moore singled to the infield and Roman Escamilla lashed his team-high third double.

Caruso had an infield hit in the first, stole second base, moved to third on Eric Sees’ error and scored on a double play.

Indians reliever Enrique Calero allowed one hit and struck out five in four innings. Calero retired nine straight in the fifth, sixth and seventh.

The three-game series continues tonight, with Stephen Hueston (0-0, 3.00) scheduled to start for Spokane. Hueston struck out five in three innings in his debut last Friday.