Indians outta there

The race is for second place.

The Spokane Indians continued their winning ways Friday night, but time ran out on them in the 74th game of the 76-game Northwest League baseball season.

Despite Spokane’s 6-2 win over Tri-City to open a three-game series at Avista Stadium, Boise (42-32) won the East Division title by defeating visiting Yakima 8-4.

Spokane, which has won three consecutive games and five of six, needed to sweep T-C and have Yakima sweep Boise to repeat as East champion. Boise claimed its 11th divisional title in 15 years.

Spokane (39-35) can earn the consolation prize – second place – by closing out the season with two more wins over Tri-City (40-34). Technically, the Dust Devils can tie Boise for first place, but Boise would still advance to postseason because it defeated T-C 7-5 during the season series.

The best-of-five NWL championship series begins Labor Day in Boise. Vancouver entered Friday night with a magic number of one to win the West for the first time.

Spokane manager Darryl Kennedy saluted Boise as a worthy champion, but the Indians defeated the Hawks nine of 12 times this season.

Kennedy, a seven-year skipper, had directed his six previous teams to postseason.

“When I heard in the seventh inning that Boise had won, I was a little sad,” Kennedy said.

“I knew the streak would end some time. But, you know what? It’s been a great run and a lot of fun.”

Second baseman Tug Hulett led Spokane’s charge, finishing 3 for 3 and reaching base in all five plate appearances. Hulett, who entered the game with a league-best .441 on-base percentage, drew his 66th and 67th walks and scored his 51st and 52nd runs.

“It’s my job to lead off the game and get on base for the big hitters,” said the Auburn University product. “When I’m on base, it makes their job easier.”

Hulett’s batting average has jumped from .210 to .283 since July.

“I was nominated for the All-Star team (in July),” Hulett said. “I was a little surprised, but that kind of got me rolling. … I got some confidence going and it has snowballed from there.”

Travis Metcalf’s two-run single to left highlighted Spokane’s four-run second. Metcalf is No. 2 in league RBIs, with 61.

Indians starter John Lujan ended his night by striking out Dustin Hahn to leave the bases loaded in the fourth. First reliever Marcos Herrera (6-1) worked three scoreless innings to take over the club lead for wins.

Jarrad Burcie hurled the final 11/3 innings to earn his eighth save, No. 2 in the NWL. Burcie struck out the first three batters he faced, including Jose Valdez to strand Dust Devils at second and third in the eighth.

Spokane’s Shawn Phillips (5-1, 3.86) is scheduled to start tonight against Jarret Grube (4-2, 4.39).

Notes

Spokane left-hander Clint Brannon (3-2, 0.62) is in line to set the NWL record for earned-run average in a season if he can work enough innings. Brannon has allowed four earned runs in 572/3 innings. The minimum number of innings needed to qualify among the league leaders is 59. Brannon pitched Wednesday and wouldn’t typically be set to throw again, but manager Darryl Kennedy said Brannon may see mound time on Sunday. Eugene’s James Campbell set the league record (0.73) in 1987.