Indians avoid being swept by Dust Devils
PASCO — The Spokane Indians avoided their first sweep of the season and their first four-game losing streak in nearly two years.
Mark Roberts (2-4) and Clint Brannon combined on a six-hitter Tuesday to lift the Indians to a 5-1 win over the Tri-City Dust Devils in Northwest League baseball at Tri-Cities Stadium.
Tri-City (18-14) won the series 2-1, but the Indians (16-16) snapped a three-game losing streak and pulled within two games of the Dust Devils in the East Division. Spokane hasn’t dropped four consecutive games since Aug. 10-13, 2002.
Brannon, who earned his first save, pitched the final four innings. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced, Nelson Robledo, but allowed no more hits while striking out five and walking none.
The Dust Devils led 1-0 after Brett Spivey’s run-scoring single to center field in the third inning. Mitsuru Sakamoto, who had doubled off Roberts to open the inning, scored from third base.
Dust Devils starter Juan Morillo blanked Spokane for five innings, allowing one hit and striking out eight.
The Indians responded against reliever Matt Prendergast (0-1) in the sixth. Travis Metcalf had a leadoff walk, Ben Harrison tied the game with an RBI single and Michael Mask put Spokane ahead for good with an RBI double.
Billy Susdorf’s RBI single completed the three-run sixth.
Indians catcher Mike Nickeas extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a two-run single off Steve Edsall in the seventh. Edsall had issued a leadoff walk to Tug Hulett, who moved to third base on Brandon Boggs’ double.
Spokane is 7-5 against the East Division this season.
The Indians will begin a three-game series tonight at East rival Boise, with Justin Lensch (1-3) scheduled to start. The Indians are using a piggyback rotation and will likely have John Bannister pitch the final four innings.
Spokane is 4-2 against Boise this season, including 2-1 at Hawks Memorial Stadium. Boise (17-14) is also in the midst of the East race, having won eight of 11.
Spokane’s next home series starts Saturday, a five-game set with the Vancouver Canadians.
Spokane will host the NWL All-Star Game on Aug. 3, before an eight-game homestand.