Indians split two, still last

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Spokane Indians split two games with the Vancouver Canadians on Sunday, but the one victory was not enough for the Indians to climb out of last place in the Northwest League’s East Division.

Spokane won the completion of Saturday’s suspended game 8-2, then lost the regularly scheduled game 3-2 at Vancouver’s Nat Bailey Stadium. Meanwhile, West Division leader Salem-Keizer defeated Yakima 10-0, leaving the Bears and Indians tied for last place in the East.

In Spokane’s win, the Indians took a 2-0 lead in the third inning (the game had been suspended Saturday after two innings) and did not give up the lead. Left-fielder Cody Podraza had three doubles and scored two runs and shortstop Edward Martinez drove in three runs. Joseph Ortiz, who pitched 2 1/3 innings, picked up the win despite allowing both of Vancouver’s runs in the fourth inning. Starter Braden Tullis, Samuel Brown and Chris Matlock, who picked up his third save, had scoreless outings.

In the regularly scheduled game, Vancouver scored one run in the first and two in the third off Indians starter Robbie Ross. Spokane’s two runs came in the fifth on a run-scoring double by Joseph Bonadonna, who would score on a single by Jason Ogata.

The series concludes with a 7:05 p.m. game today before the Indians host Everett Tuesday through Saturday.