Hawks rough up Indians

BOISE – The Boise Hawks proved they plan to be a thorn in the Spokane Indians’ side.

Ryan Keedy drove in three runs, Josh Vitters had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 20 games and the Hawks scored in five straight innings en route to a 12-4 win over the Indians in Northwest League action on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium.

The victory pulls Boise (33-23) to within five games of the East Division-leading Indians.

Spokane (38-18) used six pitchers and five of them gave up runs. Only Corey Young, who pitched a scoreless eighth, escaped unscathed.

Matt Nevarez started for the Indians and allowed two runs in three innings. Justin Gustie followed with two runs in one inning of work. Corey Ragsdale (0-1) took the mound next and gave up three runs – after Spokane had rallied to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the fifth – in his lone inning. Juan Peralta duplicated Ragsdale’s effort in the sixth inning and Justin Miller allowed two runs in the seventh.

Boise starter Andrew Cashner tossed four no-hit innings but left before qualifying for the win. That went to reliever Chris Carpenter (3-0), who allowed four runs – two on a single by Zach Zaneski and two on a Jared Bolden double – in two innings.