Hawks hurt Spokane’s chances

BOISE – The Spokane Indians are running out of time in their pursuit of the Northwest League East Division championship.

Zachary Ashwood (4-3) and Simon Lee combined on a six-hit shutout Wednesday night as the Boise Hawks trampled the Spokane Indians 9-0 at Memorial Stadium.

Boise (32-37) remained one game behind East-leading Tri-City (33-36) while dropping the Indians (31-37) to 1 1/2 games behind.

The season is down to its final seven games. Spokane, which has played one fewer game than its East rivals because of a rainout in Vancouver, plays the next four nights in Boise and finishes with a three-game home series against Yakima (30-39).

Boise took a 2-0 lead off Indians starter Ryan Tatusko (3-6) in the first inning. Brandon Guyer had an RBI single to left field and later scored on Tatusko’s wild pitch.

The Hawks added an unearned run in the fifth. With two outs, Jose Made reached second base on an error by center fielder Engel Beltre. Tony Thomas Jr. followed with an RBI single to right.

Spokane held out hopes until Hector Nelo relieved in the eighth and allowed three hits and four earned runs without recording an out.

Jonathan Wyatt’s two-run double started the six-run outburst, and Kyler Burke added a three-run homer to right against Keisuke Ueno, who had replaced Nelo. Burke has nine homers this season.

Victor Barrios finished 2 for 3 to lead Spokane’s offense. Spokane struck out seven times and was limited to six singles.

Spokane is 5-3 against Boise this season and 1-1 in this series.

The East champion will face West champion Salem-Keizer in next week’s playoffs. Salem-Keizer (52-17) is the only NWL team with a winning record.