Hawks blast Spokane

BOISE – Former Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver used to extol the virtues of the three-run homer.

Weaver would have loved the Boise Hawks’ third inning Wednesday night.

Matt Matulia and Russell Canzler hit three-run blasts to highlight an eight-run third that propelled Boise to a 9-3 win over the Spokane Indians at Memorial Stadium.

Boise (27-23) opened the day with a one-game lead over Tri-City in the Northwest League’s East Division. The Hawks are 5-0 this season against Spokane (19-31).

The final game of the three-game series is tonight. Spokane opens a five-game series at Salem-Keizer on Friday.

Indians starter Michael Ballard (2-6) had little trouble with Boise through two innings. Ballard’s night fell apart in the third, as Steven Clevenger walked, Elvin Puello doubled and Matulia homered to left field for his second shot of the season.

Matt Camp, Mario Mercedes and Tyler Colvin followed with singles before Jeremiah Haar replaced Ballard.

Against Haar, Joshua Lansford had an RBI single and Canzler hit his 10th homer of the season, to left-center. Canzler also had an RBI double in the seventh.

K.C. Herren, a recent addition to Spokane’s roster, hit a solo homer in the fourth.

Billy Killian doubled to open Spokane’s eighth and scored on Steven Marquardt’s single.