Wilson slams door on Devils
Jon Wilson has become the go-to guy in the Spokane Indians bullpen. Even though Saturday’s outing was not his best, it was still effective.
Wilson came in in the eighth to shut down a Tri-City Dust Devils’ rally and preserve a one-run lead. In the ninth, he gave up two hits, and had runners on first and third, but forced James Sweeney to ground into a game-ending double play that gave the Indians a 6-5 Northwest League win at Avista Stadium before a crowd of 5,215.
“He’s been outstanding,” said Spokane manager Greg Riddoch. “Jon is yet to fail six weeks into the season.”
In 15 2/3 innings pitched, Wilson has only allowed two runs and has yet to yield a walk, while striking out 23.
“That’s huge to have someone be that consistent and dominant,” said John Mayberry Jr. “We have all the confidence in him.”
Wilson gave up two hits and struck out one to record his fourth save of the season. He lowered his ERA to 1.15.
“You have to have a guy like that on your team,” said Spokane’s Phillip Hawke, who hit his second home run of the season.
After Spokane starter Brett Zamzow was roughed up for three runs in the first inning, Hawke led off the second with a solo home run off of Tri-City starter Shane Lindsay. Mayberry, who had three hits, followed and scored the first of three runs on a bases-loaded walk.
Down 3-2, the Dust Devils (15-17) replaced Lindsay, who came into the series listed as day to day with bicep tendinitis, with John Sullivan. Steve Murphy, who also had three hits, stole second after his leadoff single and moved to third on a single by Mayberry. Sullivan then walked Joe Kemp to load the bases.
Joey Hooft followed with a double that scored two runs and gave the Indians (14-18) the lead. Kemp scored on a groundout by Tim Crabtree to make it 5-3.
Zamzow pitched five innings and did not allow another run to get his first win of the season.
Indians reliever Cain Byrd gave up two runs in two innings. Tom Van Buskirk began the eighth, but was relieved by Wilson after giving up two consecutive walks. With runners at first and second, Wilson struck out Pedro Strop to end the rally.
With one out in the ninth, Wilson gave up back-to-back singles to Phillip Cuadrado and Brian Kirby, but got Sweeney to ground out to German Duran on a breaking ball. Duran then tossed the ball to David Peterson at second to begin the double play.
“That was key,” said Riddoch. “Glad he got that ball to turn the double play, otherwise the game is tied.”
The Indians improved to 8-8 at home and will begin a three-game series with the Dust Devils today in Pasco.
Notes
Through 16 games, the Indians are ahead of last year’s attendance. At this point last year, they were at 72,631– an average of 4,593. So far this year, they are averaging 4,794 for a total of 76,698.