Nickeas’ leadoff homer in eighth delivers win

EVERETT – In case there was any doubt, Mike Nickeas is letting the Spokane Indians and the rest of the Northwest League know exactly who the go-to guy is when the game is on the line.

For the second consecutive game and third time in less than a week, Nickeas delivered the game-winning RBI, this time a leadoff homer in the top of the eighth inning, to lead Spokane to a 4-3 win over the Everett AquaSox.

The AquaSox took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning only to have Spokane answer right back.

Brandon Cashman hit a one-out homer to right-center field to tie the score at 3, setting up Nickeas’ heroics.

John Bannister pitched 32/3 innings in relief of starter Josh Rupe to pick up the victory for Spokane, striking out five with two walks. Rupe struck out four and walked one in his four innings of work. He gave up five hits and hit two batters.

Jarrad Burcie got the final four outs for his second save.

Ruben Flores gave up three hits and two unearned runs with eight strikeouts in five innings for Everett. Phil Cullen took the loss, allowing Nickeas’ homer in the eighth.

Nickeas’ two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday gave the Indians’ a 7-6 victory over Salem-Keizer.

Then, after two straight losses to the Volcanoes, Nickeas gave Spokane another 7-6 win on Saturday night with a one-out sacrifice fly in the ninth-inning.

Everett did outhit Spokane by a 10-6 margin but stranded 14 runners on base. Spokane left six runners on base.

Four AquaSox players were hit by pitches, including right fielder Mike Wilson, who was hit twice.

Spokane will send RHP Mark Roberts (0-0, 3.00 ERA) to the mound today to face Everett’s LHP Shawn Nottingham (1-0, 0.00).

Game time is 4 p.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium.