Indians Hold Off The Timberjacks

The “insurance” wasn’t needed Monday, but for Jay Gehrke and the Spokane Indians it was sure nice to have.

The Indians, who padded their lead with two runs in the top of the ninth, weathered a Southern Oregon uprising in the bottom of the inning to pull out an 8-5 Nothwest League baseball win at Miles Field.

Spokane evened the series between the NWL division leaders at 2-2 and forged a 5-4 lead in the season series that ends tonight.

Relief ace Gehrke took over in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn’t easy slamming the door. The T-Jacks mounted a rally that produced a run and loaded the bases.

Gehrke ended it by getting a called third strike on G.W. Keller.

Run-scoring doubles by Jake Baker and Jarrett Shearin, Baker’s good for two RBI, highlighted a three-run first for Spokane, but the Indians couldn’t put any distance on the T-Jacks until the ninth.

Eric Nelson, who walked and moved up on a passed ball, raced home from second on G.J. Raymundo’s long drive that became a sacrifice fly. Then Mark Ellis, also aboard on a walk, stole third and came home on the catcher’s errant throw.

Spokane lefty Jay King, who pitched a one-hitter for seven innings in a 5-2 win over Southern Oregon, is the NWL pitcher of the week for last week. King is the second straight Indian to earn the honor. Boise’s Alfredo Amezaga, who hit .375, is batter of the week.