Indians fall at Salem-Keizer

KEIZER, Ore. – Matthew Downs and Sean Van Elderen drove in two runs apiece and Sharlon Schoop scored three runs to lead the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to a 10-5 Northwest League victory Monday night over the Spokane Indians.

Salem-Keizer scored four runs in the second inning – including Van Elderens’s first homer of the season leading off – to jump out to a 5-0 lead.

Spokane answered with two runs in the fourth on Ian Gac’s two-run homer to left field, his third of the season and third in two nights.

After Spokane scored a single run in the sixth to close to within 6-3, the Volcanoes broke the game open with one run in the sixth and a three-run outburst in the seventh.

The Indians scored two runs in the eighth inning to make it 10-5, but would come no closer.

Designated hitter Kenneth Smith was 4 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs for Spokane. Gac scored three runs.

Spokane’s Matthew Lawson was 2 for 5 to drop his batting average to .417 and stole his second base.

Michael Kirkman was the starter and loser for Spokane, allowing six runs in 3 2/3 innings.

Salem-Keizer starter Craig Clark allowed five hits and struck out five with no walks in five innings to pick up the win.

Game three of the five-game series will be tonight.