Indians lose third straight
KEIZER, Ore. – The Spokane Indians are struggling to round the bases.
The Indians lost 2-0 to Salem-Keizer in Northwest League play on Sunday afternoon in their third shutout loss in six games on the road.
Spokane (19-35) left five runners in scoring position on base despite out-hitting the Volcanoes 7-5. All it took for Salem-Keizer to win Game 3 of the five-game series was runs in the second and eighth innings.
Brett Pill struck out swinging in the bottom of the second inning, but advanced to first on a throwing error by Indians catcher Hunter Harrigan. Pill advanced to second on the next play and scored Salem-Keizer’s first run of the game when Lance Salsgiver doubled on a line drive to right field.
In the eighth inning Ryan Rohlinger reached base for the Volcanoes (37-17) when he was hit by Jeremy Haar. Matthew Weston doubled, sending Rohlinger to third. Pill reached base on a fielding error by Steven Marquardt to load the bases. Adam Witter singled to score Rohlinger for the second and final run of the game.
Adam Cowart (8-0) picked up the win for the Volcanoes. He gave up five runs and struck out four in 5 2/3 innings. His ERA is now 0.29.
Kasey Kiker fell to 0-5 for Spokane, allowing two hits and one unearned run.
Marquardt led the Indians at the plate, batting 3 for 4.
The Indians are back in action tonight in Game 4 of the five-game series against Salem-Keizer. The game starts at 6:35 p.m.