Indians Win More Than Name Game

The Spokane Indians have never lost at PGE Park.

The Indians are also the only team to (unofficially) win at PGE Park, following Thursday night’s 8-0 romp past the Portland Rockies.

Word leaked out Thursday that Portland’s ballpark, known as Civic Stadium since 1959, would become PGE (Portland General Electric) Park for the return of Triple-A baseball in 2001. The official announcement was supposed to come on Tuesday, but the story was verified by Portland’s front office during Thursday’s Northwest League game.

Spokane (19-17) built its 8-0 lead with a six-run fourth inning, highlighted by Abel Martinez’s bases-loaded triple to left field. Martinez also hit his first home run, a solo shot in the third, for a season-high four runs batted in.

Indians starter Ian Ferguson (2-4), and relievers Brannon Baranowski and Micah Mangrum, combined for the Indians’ first shutout since July 2, 1999, when they blanked Boise.

Ferguson, winning for the first time since July 4, and Baranowski checked the Rockies on one hit through seven innings. Ferguson struck out eight for the third time this season, the top mark on the team.

Spokane shortstop Aaron Melebeck had two RBIs with a first-inning sacrifice fly and fourth-inning double. He entered the night with just three RBIs.

Indians designated hitter Justin Cowan added to the big fourth with a two-run home run to left-center, his second of the season.

Catcher Scott Walter, drafted in the third round of June’s amateur draft, went 2 for 2 after starting the season 2 for 30. He had his first extra-base hit as a professional, a double in the fifth.

Spokane moved back into a first-place tie in the North Division with Yakima and Everett, both of which lost.

Portland (18-17) had its four-game winning streak snapped but remained one-half game behind first-place Eugene in the South.

Spokane’s Joey Baker (1-1) is scheduled to start tonight against Matt Roney (2-4).

Indians 8, Rockies 0 Spokane Portland ab r h bi ab r h bi Devine lf 3 2 0 0 Barmes ss 4 0 1 0 Melebeck ss 4 1 1 2 Blocker 2b 4 0 0 0 Cunningham cf 2 1 1 0 Hawpe lf 4 0 1 0 AMartinez 3b 5 2 2 4 Atkins 1b 4 0 0 0 Cowan dh 4 1 2 2 Tejada c 4 0 1 0 Cordova rf 4 0 1 0 Rock rf 4 0 0 0 Santos 1b 5 0 1 0 Morency cf 2 0 1 0 Fenster 2b 3 0 0 0 Peck 3b 2 0 1 0 Guzman 2b 0 0 0 0 Guzman dh 3 0 0 0 Walter c 2 1 2 0 Felix ph-c 1 0 0 0 Totals 33 8 10 8 Totals 31 0 5 0 Spokane 101 600 000 - 8 Portland 000 000 000 - 0 E-Tejada (1), Hampson. DP-Spokane 2, Portland 3. LOB- Spokane 8, Portland 6. 2B-Melebeck (2), Walter (1), Barmes (4). 3B-AMartinez (2). HR-AMartinez (1), Cowan (2). SB- Cunningham (15), Cordova (4), Walter (1). SF-Melebeck. Spokane IP H R ER BB SO Ferguson W,2-4 5 1 0 0 2 8 Baranowski 2 0 0 0 0 1 Mangrum 2 4 0 0 0 2 Portland IP H R ER BB SO Hampson L,1-4 3 1 2 1 6 2 Berney 1 4 6 6 2 0 Little 1 1 0 0 0 0 Garner 2 2 0 0 0 0 Green 1 0 0 0 0 0 Goure 1 2 0 0 1 1 WP-Ferguson. PB-Tejada. T-2:40. A-2,702 (23,100).