Relievers deliver Indians a victory

EUGENE, Ore. – Stellar relief pitching by Marcos Herrera and Jesse Ingram Thursday night allowed the Spokane Indians to rally for a 7-5 win over Eugene to open a five-game series at Civic Stadium.

Herrera (3-1) retired 10 consecutive batters after entering in the fifth inning.

Eugene had battered around second Indians pitcher Justin Lensch for four runs to take a 5-3 lead in the fifth. Matt Thayer’s two-run home run highlighted the outburst.

Ingram pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to earn his fourth save. Ingram struck out four and ended the game by fanning Northwest League home run leader Colt Morton with two runners aboard.

Spokane (22-19) remained one game behind East Division leader Tri-City (23-18), which defeated Salem-Keizer 4-1.

The Indians took the lead with a three-run eighth off Gary Gallegos (0-4). Ryan Baldwin tied the game at 5 with a two-out single to right field. Bobby LeNoir followed with a single to right that scored two when right fielder Tom Vincent allowed the ball to get past him.

The Indians, trailing 1-0, tied the game in the second on a sacrifice fly to center by Lizahio Baez.

Billy Susdorf’s two-run homer in the fourth, his third of the season, gave Spokane a 3-1 lead.

Baldwin walked and later scored on an infield error to cut Eugene’s lead to 5-4 in the seventh. Eugene committed six errors, Spokane none.

Eugene (14-27) lost for the seventh time in eight outings. Spokane is 4-2 against the Emeralds this season.

The Indians are 10-10 on the road and 12-14 vs. teams from the West Division.

J.D. Cockroft (0-3, 3.12) is scheduled to start tonight for Spokane.