8-Run Inning Helps Indians Bury Bears Tomlinson Contributes Five Hits To Spokane’s 11-3 Nwl Victory

The Spokane Indians’ biggest inning of the year, which included a pair of three-run homers, almost never happened.

The Yakima Bears appeared to have Jeremy Hill picked off first base Saturday after his two-out, run-scoring single in the fourth tied the game at 2.

Hill was ruled safe, however, and the Indians responded with Rich Petru’s RBI double and three-run homers to right by Goefrey Tomlinson and Juan LeBron.

The eight-run fourth led Spokane (34-24) to its fourth consecutive Northwest League victory, 11-3 at County Stadium. Spokane trails North Division-leading Boise (38-20) by four games because the Hawks lost at Salem-Keizer 6-4.

Spokane had 15 hits, one short of its season high, including five by Tomlinson, the first Indians player to achieve that mark this season. Tomlinson, 5 for 6, had an RBI double in the third, then singled in the sixth, seventh and ninth.

Spokane starter Dan Reichert (2-3) allowed two earned runs, both in the first, and struck out six in five innings. Beau Parker (0-5) of Vancouver, Wash., took the loss.

The three-game series wraps up tonight with Corey Thurman (0-0) making his second start for Spokane. Thurman was called up from rookie league when Jason Gooding (3-0) left the team to attend to his father’s illness. Gooding has returned, and the Indians are pondering a six-man rotation to offset tired arms.

The Indians on Monday begin an eight-game homestand, their longest of the season, starting with three against Yakima.

, DataTimes