Indians Let Good Times Keep Rolling Three Pitchers Combine On Two-Hit Shutout As Spokane Collects Fourth Straight Victory

At the brink of despair after the first four games of the Northwest League baseball season, the Spokane Indians now are enjoying a look at the other side.

With three pitchers combining on a two-hitter Tuesday night, the Indians won their fourth straight, downing the Portland Rockies 1-0 at Portland.

Cary Ammons, Francisco Bautist and Wayne Lee handled the pitching for Spokane. Outfielder Jeremy Dodson - who else? - drove in the run.

The victory leveled Spokane’s record at 4-4 after the Indians had opened the season with four consecutive defeats. Portland slipped to 4-4.

Derek Vargas took the loss for a Portland, and it was a bitter one. Vargas gave up only three hits in a six-inning stint and struck out six. Spokane collected four hits total off Vargas and Mark Defelice while striking out 16 times.

Ammons worked 4-1/3 innings and surrendered a single hit to go with four walks. He struck out six. Bautista, who earned the victory, surrendered the other Portland hit in a 3-2/3-inning stint. Lee picked up his second save by working the ninth.

Spokane scored its run in the sixth inning.

After Vargas hit Curry with a pitch, Curry stole second and Henry Calderon, who reached first safely, bunted him to third. Up came Dodson, who already had six RBIs in seven games.

Dodson scored Curry by lofting a sacrifice fly to right field.

Tonight’s game will be third of a five-game series.