Indians strike first, winning East Division opener

YAKIMA – Jorge Marban has been perfect since joining the Spokane Indians’ pitching staff in last August.

Reliever Jake Hale was nearly perfect the entire Northwest League regular season for the Yakima Bears.

Marban continued his streak and Andrew Clark made sure that Hale didn’t Monday night as Spokane drew first blood in the best-of-3 East divisional series.

Marban picked up the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, and Clark lined a 3-run single off Hale in the seventh inning as the Indians defeated the Bears 5-1 at County Stadium.

Spokane can wrap up the series tonight or Wednesday night at Avista Stadium. The Indians haven’t lost two consecutive home games since their first two games of the season.

Marban relieved Ben Henry with two out and runners on the corners in the fourth as Spokane protected a 2-1 lead.

Marban struck out Westley Moss to end the threat, and had three other strike outs during his stint.

Marban hasn’t allowed any earned runs in his 10 1/3 innings with Spokane.