Pitching helps Indians reclaim East Division lead from T-C

Spokane regained the Northwest League East Division lead with a 6-4 win over Tri-City Saturday night at Avista Stadium.

The Indians’ pitching staff had a shutout going through eight innings and was almost perfect in the win.

Almost.

Starter Michael Main (2-0) fanned five batters and limited the Dust Devils to one hit in five innings. Reliever Tommy Hunter struck out four and was perfect in three innings.

“It’s taken more time than I thought to get back into the swing of things, and I think tonight was what it’s supposed to be like. It was fun to finally go out there and do a good job and get the next guy out,” said Hunter, one of three 2007 first-round draft picks on the Indians’ roster. “It’s always good to come home. The hitters really came out tonight to get 10 hits on the board. We didn’t do a very good job down in Everett (losing four of five), and we finally put it all together tonight.”

Hunter preserved Spokane’s 6-0 lead until the ninth inning when Jose Jaimes came in to attempt to close it out.

That was the intention, at least.

Jaimes didn’t come close to accomplishing his mission.

The Venezuelan right-hander allowed an infield single to Tri-City leadoff man Mike Mitchell and things got progressively worse.

Helder Velazquez singled to left field, then Brian Rike doubled to right field to score both runners.

Jaimes then gave up a two-run homer to Gonzaga University and Shadle Park High product Darin Holcomb that whittled Spokane’s lead to 6-4. Holcomb’s blast to left was his 11th of the season.

Jaimes was yanked in favor of Andrew Laughter. True to form, Laughter bailed the Indians out of trouble to earn his 10th save.

“Jaimes was supposed to finish that inning,” Indians manager Tim Hulett said. “He just didn’t have it tonight. His fastball was flat and he had trouble getting his breaking balls.

“It happens. He hadn’t pitched in five days. We had him up a couple of times in the past few days, but he didn’t get in the game.”

Luckily for the Indians, a four-run third had given the them room to breathe.

In only his second start in about two weeks, shortstop Davis Stoneburner distinguished himself, going 2 for 3, including a double and a triple.

Stoneburner ignited the offense when he led off with a double in the third. Matt Lawson doubled to drive in Stoneburner, then scurried home when the next batter, Renny Osuna, singled up the middle.

“It’s more important that we got the win, because that’s what matters right now, but that was a very good game for me,” said Stoneburner, who has split time with Andres James at shortstop this season.

With the win, the Indians (30-34) lead Tri-City (30-35) by one-half game. Boise and Yakima, both 29-36, are 1 1/2 games back.

The fight for the division title continues today and Monday at Avista.

Spokane’s final nine games are against Boise (six on the road) and Yakima (three at home). Spokane said it will not make out an earlier rainout at Vancouver.