Errors elevate Yakima

YAKIMA – It was a comedy of errors – not necessarily funny for the Spokane Indians.

The league’s worst team produced enough for a victory over Spokane on Monday night, with a little help from the visiting Indians.

Michael Mee reached base on a fielding error by Spokane (18-22) third baseman Johan Yan and eventually scored the game-winning run as the Yakima Bears (15-26) went on to win 3-2 in Northwest League play in front of 1,437 fans.

Mee advanced to third base on a fielding error by shortstop Andres James that put runners at the corners. Mee scored on the ensuing at-bat, when teammate Shane Byrne knocked a sacrifice fly to right field.

Mee finished 2 for 5 for the Bears with two runs scored. Teammate Aaron Hanke was also 2 for 5 from the plate with a double and a triple.

The Indians scored single runs in the third and fourth innings. Timothy Rodriguez scored in the third on a ground-out by Andres James and Timothy Smith added a run in the fourth when Renny Osuna grounded out to second base.

Smith was 2 for 4 from the plate with one run scored and Rodriguez was also 2 for 4, driving in one run for the Indians.

Ryan Falcon (2-1) took his first loss of the season for Spokane. He tossed the final two innings of the game, giving up the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Right-hander William Spottiswood (1-2) picked up his first win of the season for Yakima, striking out three in two innings of work. The Bears’ pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts.

The three-game series against Yakima continues tonight at Yakima County Stadium. The Indians return to Avista Stadium on Friday for a five-game series against Salem-Keizer.