Indians lose; East tightens

EVERETT – The Everett AquaSox used a four-run fourth inning to pull away from Spokane and defeat the Indians 5-1 Wednesday night.

While the Indians remained 1 ½ games ahead of the Boise Hawks, the other two teams in the Northwest League’s East Division made up ground.

Tri-City joined Boise in second place while Yakima is just another game back after the day’s play. The regular season ends Sept. 5.

Kalian Sams’ home run to center field, his sixth of the season, brought in the final two runs in Everett’s fourth inning after it scored on a bases-loaded groundout and a wild pitch by starting pitcher Fabio Castillo (3-5).

The inning started with Gregory Halman’s infield single, a walk to Kris Sanchez and a single to right field by Manelik Pimentel to load the bases. Joseph Dunigan’s groundout to first scored one run before Castillo’s wild pitch brought in the second run of the inning. Sams then followed with his homer.

The Indians scored in the top of the first after Renny Osuna hit his 11th double of the season and eventually scored on a pair of wild pitches by Juan Ramirez (2-6).

Everett tied the game in the second inning when Sanchez, who had singled and reached third on a double play, scored on the first of Castillo’s two wild pitches.

The Indians play the AquaSox in the fourth game of the five-game series tonight before playing host to the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Osuna and Luke Salas had two hits each for the Indians, who managed only six against three AquaSox pitchers while striking out 10 times.

Indians relievers Jordan Stewart and Andrew Laughter combined for three scoreless innings.