Indians Take A Turn At Game-Winning Rally Facing 0-5 Start, Tribe Win With Two In Eighth

The Spokane Indians finally caught their first break on Saturday.

Two outs away from a 0-5 start, the Indians rallied in the eighth for a 5-4, extra-inning win over Everett and a doubleheader split at Seafirst Stadium.

The first game, a nine-inning continuation from Friday’s rainout, was in Spokane’s hands until the AquaSox scored five in the ninth for an 8-4 win.

Everett (2-3) led the scheduled seven-inning nightcap 3-1 until the Indians (1-4) scored twice in the sixth. Shawn McCorkle’s run-scoring single in the eighth gave Everett a 4-3 edge, but AquaSox relievers Craig Willis (0-1) and Peter Duprey couldn’t hold the lead.

Mike Curry walked to lead off the eighth, then Paul Phillips’ single chased Willis. Brian Shackelford moved up the runners with a perfect bunt, and Everett set up a double-play possibility by intentionally walking Ryan Fry.

Catcher Juan Rivera, in his first at-bat with the Indians, drove in the tying run with a fielder’s choice, beating out the double-play attempt.

“I’m proud of Juan,” said Indians manager Jeff Garber, clutching his two children during postgame fireworks. “He hasn’t played, and I know that was discouraging to him, but beating out that throw won the game for us.”

That, and Henry Calderon’s bases-loaded walk on four consecutive Duprey pitches.

Spokane avoided the 0-5 start that sank the 1995 Indians. Last year’s team started 5-0.

Spokane has led every game this season, including three consecutive one-run losses at Boise.

“One thing I see that’s positive is we play hard no matter what, and respond to adversity,” Garber said. “They keep sticking together, so I’m not discouraged about this team’s makeup.”

First-game winner Clint Chrysler (1-0) was in line to win the second before Spokane’s comeback.

McCorkle, as a pinch hitter, was a catalyst for the first-game win, although his grounder to Spokane first baseman Danny DiPace should have been the second out of the ninth. DiPace threw too hard to reliever Denton McDaniel (0-2) covering first, so McCorkle was safe and two runs scored for a 5-4 AquaSox lead.

McDaniel, two batters later, threw wild to first on a potential inning-ending grounder. The next batter, Jake Weber, smacked a three-run homer to right.

Garber said his pitching staff is still limited, as some high draft selections who would likely be Spokane-bound still haven’t signed with Kansas City or completed personal matters. Matt Burch, a first-rounder from Virginia Commonwealth, just signed and may make Spokane’s next home series.

The Indians’ infield defense, which committed six errors on the day, is also a concern.

“Even in minicamp we didn’t field the way we have to, but in time we’ll be fine,” Garber said.

Curry scored four times and Shackelford had four hits on the day. Jeremy Dodson hit a solo homer in the second game and is 6 for 14 for the season.

The three-game series concludes at 3:05 p.m. today, the first of three afternoon home games this season. The scheduled starters are right-handers Corey Thurman (0-0, 8.10 ERA) of Spokane and Chris Mears (1-0, 3.00) of Everett.

Spokane begins a five-game series at Portland on Monday. Spokane’s next home series starts Saturday.

Indians 4-5 Everett 8-4 On deck: Everett at Spokane, today, 3:05 p.m.