Indians lose opener

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Vancouver scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning and held Spokane to three hits as the Canadians topped the Indians 7-1 Monday in the opener of a five-game Northwest League series.

Matthew Sulentic opened scoring for Vancouver (17-11) in the second with a leadoff home run. Greg Dowling doubled and Alexander Valdez singled to reach base. Spokane starter Brett Zamzow walked Andre-Piper Jordan to load the bases for Wilber Perez.

Perez singled to right, scoring Dowling and Valdez. Michael Affronti then doubled to score Piper-Jordan and Perez. John Slusarz replaced Zamzow on the mound and Jermaine Mitchell grounded out to end the inning.

The Canadians added runs in the fifth and sixth.

Valdez finished 4 for 4 for Vancouver, scoring once and driving in one run.

Spokane’s (12-16) only run came in the top of the eighth inning when Christopher Davis hit a leadoff home run, his third homer of the season. Chad Tracy and Thomas Berkery had the other hits for Spokane. Both finished 1 for 2.

The Indians stranded nine runners, six in scoring position.

The five-game series in Vancouver continues tonight at 7:05 p.m. The Indians return home for a three-game series with the Tri-City Dust Devils Saturday.