Indians end nine-game skid
Craig Gentry’s speed alone put Spokane on the board, but it was his timely two-run double that helped the Indians snap their nine-game losing streak Friday.
Jay Heafner’s run-scoring single and Gentry’s two-run double tied the game at 4 in the seventh inning, and Chad Tracy followed with the go-ahead sacrifice fly to help give the Indians an 8-4 win over the Eugene Emeralds in the second game of a five-game series.
The Indians added a three-run eighth to please a sellout crowd of 7,321 in Northwest League baseball play at Avista Stadium.
“It feels good to actually win a game,” Gentry said. “I’m tired of losing. Hopefully, we can keep winning some games.”
Eugene (31-27) had a four-run third that started with Jesus Lopez’s single to right. Mike Epping walked and Craig Cooper followed with an RBI single to left.
With two runners on, Chad Huffman cleared the bases with a three-run homer to left against Kasey Kiker. Huffman is hitting .333, third in the league.
Four innings later, Spokane (20-38) had its turn at a four-run inning that started with Heafner’s RBI single. Two batters later, Gentry hit a two-run double down the right-field line and moved in scoring position for Tracy’s sacrifice fly.
“I’ve been unlucky lately,” Gentry said after his 3-for-4 night with three RBIs. “Just getting some hits under my belt gave me some confidence.”
In Spokane’s eighth, pinch hitter Billy Killian ripped a two-run double to right-center and Gentry followed with a sacrifice fly to center.
Spokane was hitless against Eugene starter Matthew Buschmann, until Gentry singled up the middle in the fourth. Spokane manager Mike Micucci gave Gentry the green light, and he stole second and third bases. Third baseman Matt Antonelli couldn’t handle the throw to third, and Gentry scored Spokane’s first run.
“Speed is part of my game, so I have to take full advantage of it,” Gentry said.
Kiker finished with five strikeouts and three walks and now sports a 4.12 ERA.
Derrick Jones relieved Kiker in the fifth and yielded one hit and no runs in two innings, with two strikeouts.
Craig Crow earned the win, giving up no runs in two innings. John Slusarz pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
“We hang in there,” Gentry said. “We’re a team that never gives up.”
Buschmann pitched five innings, giving up one run on four hits. The right-hander is seventh in league ERA at 2.67.Mike Ballard is scheduled to start tonight for Spokane.