Matulia’s slam fells Indians

When Matt Matulia of the Boise Hawks struck out against Spokane Indians pitcher Michael Ballard his first two at-bats hitting right-handed, he decided he would switch to hitting from the left side.

The switch led to a seventh-inning grand slam – although not off Ballard – as Boise beat Spokane 9-4 Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game Northwest League series before 3,936 spectators at Avista Stadium.

“I was very surprised,” Matulia said of his grand slam. “It felt like nothing, the ball just jumped off the bat. I was shocked.”

Going into the game, Matulia was batting .193 with no home runs. The Hawks celebrated by throwing a shirt full of shaving cream into Matulia’s face after the game.

“I hadn’t been hitting very good. That was the best ball I’ve hit all summer,” Matulia said. “I was trying to stay loose up there. I’ve been struggling and I just relaxed.”

Matulia’s grand slam came against reliever Juan Carlos Garcia, who was recently moved down to Spokane from the Clinton Lumberkings on a rehab assignment. Garcia made his first appearance for the Indians in the seventh inning and gave up six earned runs. Aside from the grand slam, he allowed a solo home run and a run scored via a fielder’s choice.

“He was having a hard time locating his pitches,” Spokane manger Mike Micucci said. “You just can’t give up six runs in one inning.”

Garcia now sports a 18.00 earned run average in three innings pitched.

“(Garcia) was being inconsistent and not working ahead (in the count),” Spokane pitching coach Danny Clark said. “That was the first time I’d seen him, but there is tomorrow for him. I think he maybe tried a little too hard to go out and impress; you know that’s baseball.”

Before Garcia entered the game, Ballard pitched six innings and struck out seven, three coming in the first inning.

“He was aggressive with his fastball,” Clark said. “He did a solid job.”

Spokane’s defense helped Ballard hold down Boise early in the game, including two diving catches from right fielder Joe Napoli.

“The guys played great defense behind me,” Ballard said. “They were saving me from being in some jams early on in the game.”

Ballard gave up four hits and allowed three runs, one earned.

With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Boise scored its three runs against Ballard with a base hit to center field that turned into a fielding error. Spokane’s Grant Gerrard overran the ball, giving the runners time to circle the bases.

Ballard also credited his catcher Chad Tracy for calling a good game.

One of Spokane’s four runs came on a solo home run from leadoff hitter Joey Hooft in the sixth inning. Chris Davis doubled three times for the Indians.