Anderson, Balog spark RiverHawks

MOSES LAKE – Kyle Anderson tossed six shutout innings and Nik Balog drove in a pair of runs to propel the Spokane RiverHawks (9-12) to a 3-0 victory over the Moses Lake Pirates (1-20) in West Coast League play Saturday at Larson Field.

Anderson (2-0) allowed four hits and three walks, while striking out six to earn the victory. Jake Perkins followed Anderson and allowed two hits in two innings.

Paul Sewald surrendered a leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth – the only extra-base hit of the game – but escaped without further damage to notch his third save of the season.

Spokane scored the only run it would need in the top of the first inning. Ian Atkinson drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a Phil Johnson single. Clayton Eslick walked with two outs to load the bases. Moses Lake starter Billy Armstrong (0-4) uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Atkinson to score.

The RiverHawks added a couple of insurance runs in the top of the fifth. Atkinson, Billy Moon and Eslick walked to load the bases with two outs and Balog ripped a two-run single.