Tri-City turns back Indians

PASCO – Matt Miller’s two-out single over the head of Spokane left fielder Billy Susdorf scored Erik Dean with the winning run as the Tri-City Dust Devils squeezed past the Indians 4-3 in 10 innings in Northwest League action on Sunday.

The loss drops the Indians to .500 at 15-15, two games behind the front-running Dust Devils (17-13). Boise is in second place, a game behind Tri-City.

Things looked good for Spokane early. Brandon Boggs walked with one out in the top of the first inning and Travis Metcalf followed with a two-run home run off Tri-City starter Jake Postlewait.

The Dust Devils cut the lead in half when Matt Macri’s sacrifice fly scored Pedro Strop.

The Indians squandered a golden opportunity in the top of the fifth when Postlewait walked Tim Hulett, Boggs and Metcalf to open the inning. Reliever JP Gagne entered and walked Mike Nickeas to force in a run and put Spokane up 3-1. But Gagne retired Ben Harrison on a forceout and Jim Fasano on a popup before striking out Chris Alexander to end the threat.

Tri-City bounced right back to tie the game in the bottom fifth and chase Spokane starter Kevin Altman.

Florentino Nunez led off with a walk and took second on a Pedro Strop single. Following an out Dean stroked a two-run double. Willy Espinal replaced Altman and retired the next two batters.

Indians reliever JD Cockroft took over to start the sixth and held the Dust Devils in check until the bottom of the 10th inning.

Dean tripled over the head of Spokane center fielder Boggs to lead off the inning. Jesse Ingram replaced Cockroft on the mound and induced a popup from Macri, the NWL’s No. 2 hitter average-wise. Ingram then fanned Jud Thigpen, the NWL’s No. 4 hitter, on three pitches. But Miller stepped up and ended the game.

Spokane sends Thomas Diamond to the mound for tonight’s middle game of the three-game series. Game time is 7:05.