Five-run 5th leads Bears past Indians

YAKIMA – After four strong innings, the wheels fell off for Spokane pitcher Kellan McConnell.

The Yakima Bears broke through for five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fifth inning and went on to beat the Indians 5-2 in Northwest League play Friday night.

McConnell hadn’t allowed a hit until Chris Rahl tripled leading off the fourth inning. Rahl was erased at the plate on a fielder’s choice and McConnell had retired 10 of 14 batters through four innings.

But it all changed in the fifth.

Ricardo Sosa led off with a triple and scored on a Derek Bruce sacrifice fly. Leyson Septimo, Manny Del Campo, Kevin Williams and Rahl singled consecutively, with Williams’ hit to left field scoring Septimo to make it 2-2. Del Campo scored to give the Bears the lead, and the runners moved up a base when McConnell threw a wild pitch with Ramon Downing at the plate. Downing grounded out to second, scoring Williams before Hendricks singled to score Rahl.

Jarrad Burcie and Tom Van Buskirk combined for three scoreless innings in relief of McConnell.

Spokane took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Jonathan Higashi singled leading off. After a groundout, he stole second and went to third on a groundout before scoring on a balk by Yakima pitcher Shane Dove.

Spokane made it 2-0 in the fifth. K.C. Herren scored on Julio Santana’s one-out double to center field.

Rahl and Sosa were each 2 for 4 for Yakima.

Dove (2-1) pitched six innings, giving up six hits with four strikeouts and one walk before giving way to the bullpen Matts.

Matthew Torra, Matt Fowles and Matthew Wilkinson combined for three scoreless innings in relief, with Wilkinson picking up his second save despite two walks in the ninth inning.

German Duran had two hits to pace Spokane’s offensive attack.

Herren singled to extend his hitting streak to five games, while Freddie Thon went 0 for 4 and saw his streak end at seven games.

Game 2 of the three-game series is tonight.

Infielder leaves team

Reserve infielder Antonio Peña has left the Indians and the Texas Rangers organization.

Peña, who was 0 for 8 in four games, told the Rangers earlier this week that he had decided to retire.

The Indians were notified via e-mail by the Rangers of Peña’s decision prior to Thursday’s 5-3 win over Everett.

Peña watched the win in street clothes from the stands, but rejoined his teammates in the clubhouse after the game. He said that he had not retired, but that he was taking time off.

“No, I haven’t retired,” said the Dominican born Peña in Spanish. “I’m going to give myself some time … four months.

“I’m going to try to play again in November in the Dominican.”

Peña, 21, said he needs the time to allow his right elbow to heal.

“I’ve been hurt for two years now,” he said. “Every time I come back it hurts again.”

Peña, one of four middle infielders on the roster, had also grown unhappy with his playing time.

“He was frustrated with playing time … and consistently injured,” said Rangers Director of Minor League Operations John Lombado. “So we decided to move on.”

Peña had been rooming with fellow Dominican’s Julio Santana, Juan Carlos García and Juan Maldonado. He left Spokane on Friday.

Jaime Cardenas