Spokane finds road to its liking

After five consecutive home losses to Salem-Keizer to open the season, the Spokane Indians will return home after a week on the road with wins under their belts.

The Indians, 5-8 after Saturday’s victory at Yakima, are tied for first place with the Tri-City Dust Devils in the East Division of the short-season Class A Northwest League.

While Spokane had victories on the road, it ran into some mishaps. On Thursday the Indians fell to the Eugene Emeralds 17-4 – the most runs in a game for the Emeralds since they defeated the Yakima Bears 17-4 on July 14, 1996.

Before the Thursday meeting, Eugene had only scored 14 runs on 28 hits while losing three of its last four games.

The Texas Rangers’ No. 1 draft pick, Kasey Kiker, started on the mound against Eugene. He pitched only two-thirds of an inning, allowing five runs – three earned – three walks and a strikeout.

Everett rules mound

Heading into Saturday, the Everett AquaSox (9-3) were one game behind Salem-Keizer (10-2) in the West Division. Everett’s pitching has a lot to do with its success.

In their first 10 games, Everett’s starting pitchers gave up 10 runs (eight earned) in 51 2/3 innings, according to Nick Patterson of the Everett Herald.

For the week of June 25, Everett’s Michael Schilling was named pitcher of the week.

Schilling posted a 2-0 record with a 1.38 ERA, giving up eight hits and two runs in 13 innings. He also recorded 11 strikeouts and two walks.

Bear banter

The Yakima Bears are at the bottom of the East Division, but first baseman Brad Miller’s offensive production helped him earn honors as offensive player of the week for June 25.

Yakima started the season 1-6, but Miller posted at least one hit in all seven games.

Miller went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs batted in against the AquaSox on June 24.

Yakima announced that former Seattle Mariner Jay Buhner will attend a Bears game on July 31 when they face Eugene.

Last season the Bears brought former Mariner Edgar Martinez to a game and it resulted in the first advance sellout for Yakima.

On deck

The Indians will return to Spokane to host the first-place Tri-City Dust Devils today at 6:30 p.m. at Avista Stadium to open a three-game series.