Indians stay alive in race with win over Yakima

YAKIMA – The Spokane Indians’ final home series of the Northwest League baseball season will mean something after all.

Mike Nickeas drove in six runs Thursday night to power the Indians to a 10-4 win over the Yakima Bears at Yakima County Stadium.

Spokane’s win, coupled with Boise’s 12-3 home loss to Tri-City, left the East Division pennant race up in the air. Boise (41-32) leads T-C (40-33) by one game and Spokane (38-35) by three with three games left in the season.

The Indians begin a three-game set tonight at Avista Stadium against T-C. Boise hosts Yakima (33-40) for the final three games.

To defend its East title, Spokane must sweep the Dust Devils and have Yakima sweep Boise. The Dust Devils, a Brett brothers-owned team like Spokane, are 6-3 against Spokane this season.

The Indians expect a large crowd because of their final $1 Family Feast Night promotion of the season.

Nickeas singled twice, collected his 17th double and increased his RBI total to 52. Nickeas, a catcher, was Spokane’s lone representative to the all-NWL team, announced earlier this week.

Spokane’s Kevin Mahar finished 4 for 5 with two runs.

Spokane won the series 2-1 and finished 7-5 against the Bears this season. Spokane finished with an 18-20 record on the road.

Spokane has won 18 of 32 games against teams from the East.