Salem-Keizer defeats Spokane for third straight time

SALEM, Ore. – Salem-Keizer scored four runs in the eighth inning Friday to break a tie and defeat the Spokane Indians, 8-4, for the third consecutive night.

A walk to Shawn Payne and a single by Joseph Panik, who went 4 for 4, put runners on first and third. A fielding error by second baseman Rougned Odor allowed Payne to score to break the 4-4 tie. After Brett Krill walked, Matt West replaced Phil Klein (1-2) on the mound. West struck out the next batter but then threw a wild pitch that allowed the Volcanoes to score another run. After a groundout, Ben Thomas’ first double of the season brought in two more runs.

The Indians had tied the game in the seventh inning. Hirotoshi Onaka led off the inning with a single and went to third on Odor’s double. Onaka scored when Edwin Garcia grounded out. After Yefry Castillo struck out, Brett Nicholas walked. Matthew Graham came in to relieve and walked Trever Adams to load the bases. Another walk to Guillermo Pimentel forced in another run for the tie.

Trailing 2-1, the Volcanoes opened the fourth inning with singles by Panik and Mike Murray and a double from Krill that scored Panik. One out later a throwing error by shortstop Hanser Alberto allowed Murray to score. With Thomas batting, Krill was caught off the bag at third base but scored on a throwing error by third baseman Garcia to give Salem-Keizer a 4-2 lead.

The Indians scored their first runs in the third when Odor opened with a single, stole second base, went to third on a groundout and scored on Castillo’s groundout. Nicholas and Adams hit back-to-back doubles for a 2-1 lead.

Panik slugged his fourth home run of the season in the first inning for Salem-Keizer.

Only four of the eight runs given up by three Indians pitchers were earned as the Indians committed three errors. Starter Nicholas McBride is still looking for his first win after going six innings for the Indians, giving up six hits and four runs, three earned. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.

There are two games left in the five-game series as the Indians dropped into a tie with Yakima for last place in the East Division at 7-10.