Yakima limits Spokane to three hits in series opener

YAKIMA – The Spokane Indians could muster only three hits and a pair of unearned runs in an 8-2 Northwest League loss to the Yakima Bears on Thursday night at County Stadium.

Joey Gallo, the Rangers’ first-round draft pick this year, was assigned to Spokane (21-40 overall, 9-14 second half) on Thursday. He went 0 for 3 with a walk and struck out twice in his Indians debut.

John Kukuruda (2-4) started for Spokane and allowed four runs – two earned – on seven hits over four innings. Alec Asher allowed four runs on five hits in his two innings, and Carlos Melo pitched the ninth and gave up just one hit.

The Indians scored their runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. Gallo walked to open the inning before Ryan Rua was hit by a pitch. Patrick Cantwell then hit a grounder and Gallo was forced out at third, but Cantwell reached and Rua advanced to third on an error. Preston Beck reached on another Yakima error, scoring Rua and advancing Cantwell to second. After Joe Maloney flew out, Saquan Johnson’s single drove in Cantwell.

The Indians and Bears play Game 2 of their three-game series tonight at 7:05.