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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Back From The Dead Arm Indians’ Alexander Finds The Zip To Zap Rockies

Jordy Alexander’s self-diagnosed case of “Dead Arm” appears dead itself.

Alexander (6-3), the Northwest League’s leader in innings pitched with 75, struck out nine in 5-2/3 innings Wednesday in the Spokane Indians’ 3-2 victory over the Portland Rockies.

Alexander, who also took over the league lead in strikeouts (73), allowed just an infield single during his first five innings. Reliever Scott Key earned his second save with 3-1/3 innings of no-hit ball.

Alexander, the British Columbia native who made his team-high 12th start, said his arm started to lose its zip three weeks ago, in a start at Eugene. Although he took a no-hitter into the ninth inning that night, he knew his pitches were 3-4 mph slower. The trend continued in his next start, but Alexander felt the gas return when July turned to August.

“This is basically the time of year you get (tired),” Alexander said from the clubhouse at Seafirst Stadium. “You just have to battle back and keep working.”

Spokane (32-24) won a second consecutive game for the first time since July 24-25. The Indians won the home series from Portland 3-2 and completed the 10-game season series in a dead heat.

The Indians take their final day off of the season today, then return to action Friday with the first of three games at defending NWL champion Yakima. Justin Pedersen (4-1, 2.25), tied for second in the league with 71 strikeouts, is scheduled to start for Spokane.

Spokane begins a season-high, eight-game homestand Monday against Yakima. Nine of Spokane’s final 20 games are against Yakima.

Alexander left with a 3-2 lead, as Jeremy Jackson, Jerome Alviso and Kent Zweifel singled in the sixth for one run. Key ended the sixth with a groundout, and never ran into trouble thereafter. He struck out the side in the ninth.

“(Alexander and Key) were both hitting their spots and both getting ahead early in the count,” said Indians catcher Jeremy Hill, whose second-inning sacrifice fly brought a 2-0 lead.

“They’d get ahead with fastballs, then change speeds with two strikes.”

Rockies starter Justin Miller (2-1) fell behind 3-0 after three. Joe Caruso hit his fourth homer, a solid shot to left-center in the first. Mike Brambilla doubled to lead off the second, and scored on Hill’s flyout. Goefrey Tomlinson singled to lead off the third, then scored on Juan LeBron’s two-out single.

“We did a good job early, scoring a couple of runs for Jordy,” said Indians manager Jeff Garber.

“Scott Key did a great job shutting them down. He’s been our go-to guy in the bullpen.”

Notes

The Indians retain pennant hopes because 17 of their final 20 games are against Yakima, Eugene and Everett, teams with a combined winning percentage of .382. Spokane’s other three games are at Boise, the team the Indians are trying to catch. The Indians remained six games back after the Hawks topped Southern Oregon Wednesday 11-7… . Spokane’s Dermal Brown, the league leader in hits (75), runs batted in (57) and slugging percentage (.618), was named Topps NWL player of the month for July. Brown took Wednesday off to prepare for Spokane’s stretch run… . Portland is averaging a league-best 5,464 fans per game. Spokane is second, about 500 per game behind. The Rockies have led the NWL in attendance each year since moving from Bend for the 1995 season… . Ferris grad Matt Sachse is hitting .265, with four homers and 45 RBIs in 93 games for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a long-season Class A team of the Seattle Mariners.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON DECK The Indians take today off and resume play Friday at Yakima.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ON DECK The Indians take today off and resume play Friday at Yakima.