Dust Devils blank Indians

PASCO – James Freeman threw six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven as the Tri-City Dust Devils held off the Spokane Indians 1-0 Monday night.

Freeman (2-3) allowed a triple to Steve Murphy in the first and a double to Joseph Hooft in the second, but the Indians couldn’t capitalize either time.

Phillip Hawke got Spokane’s only other hit, a one-out single in the seventh.

The loss spoiled a strong pitching effort from Doug Mathis (2-3), who went seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking none and striking out five.

Tri-City’s only run came in the bottom of the first. Second Baseman David Peterson’s fielding error allowed leadoff man Christopher Frey to reach first. Catcher Lizahio Baez then committed a throwing error attempting to pick off Frey, allowing Frey to advance to second base.

After Travis Becktel’s ground out moved Frey over to third, Phillip Cuadrado singled to right field to score Frey with the game’s only run. Cuadrado was 2 for 3.

Dust Devils pitcher James Burok pitched the ninth to earn his first save.