Indians commit five more errors in loss

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Spokane Indians dropped a third consecutive Northwest League baseball game to the Vancouver Canadians Wednesday afternoon, 10-2, with the visitors again plagued by poor fielding.

The Indians committed five errors in giving up four unearned runs and have made 13 errors in the five-game series.

The Canadians got all the runs they needed in a four-run fourth inning. Wilber Perez doubled before pitcher Craig Crow (0-1) mishandled a sacrifice bunt by Larry Cobb to put runners on first and third. Perez came home on Michael Affronti’s single before Jermaine Mitchell tripled to center field, driving in two more runs and scoring on the play on a throwing error by second baseman Joey Hooft.

Vancouver added another run in the fifth, two in the sixth, one in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Canadians hit five doubles.

The Indians scored on solo homers by Chris Kemp and Wally Backman. Both came off Chad Lee (1-0), who still got the win, pitching the final four innings and giving up five hits but no walks. Andrew Bailey started for the Canadians, retiring the first 10 batters he faced. He gave up three hits while striking out four over 4 1/3 innings, not enough to qualify for the victory.

Four Indians pitchers gave up 12 hits and four walks. Crow, who had all three of the Indians’ strikeouts, went four innings and gave up four runs, two earned. Austin Weilep went the next two innings, giving up three runs, one earned. Brennan Garr pitched 1 2/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs before catcher Hunter Harrigan made an appearance on the mound.

Harrigan came in with two out in the eighth and retired the only batter he faced on a fly ball.

Kemp and Chad Tracy both went 2 for 4 for the Indians.

Game 4 of the series is at 7:05 tonight. The series concludes Friday with another day game. The Indians open a six-game homestand Saturday.