Spokane falls apart in eighth inning
Vancouver erupts for six runs against 3 relievers
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Spokane Indians needed some relief from their relief pitching Thursday night.
The Vancouver Canadians scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally for a 10-8 win over Spokane to open a five-game Northwest League series at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Both teams entered with 12-20 records. It appeared the Indians would be the one improving to 13-20 after they took an 8-2 lead with a four-run fifth.
Spokane’s advantage was still 8-4 when the Canadians went to work during a long eighth. Vancouver sent 11 runners to the plate to erupt for six singles and two walks against Ben Henry, Johnny Gunter (0-2) and Joseph Ortiz. The biggest hit was Ryne Jernigan’s two-out, two-run single to center for a 9-8 lead.
Spokane loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Jose Guzman as Jason Ogata singled, Miguel Velazquez walked and Tommy Mendonca singled. But Guzman earned his sixth save by striking out Clark Murphy and coaxing a fly out by Denny Duron.
Vinnie DiFazio’s sixth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third, gave Spokane a 4-2 lead.
Ogata finished 4 for 5.
The teams have split six games this season.