Indians defeat Boise to tie NWL series

BOISE – Christopher Garia homered to lead off the game and scored two runs, and Spokane pitchers held Boise scoreless until the ninth as the Indians defeated the Hawks 4-1 on Friday night for their fifth Northwest League baseball victory in six games.

Garia’s homer, his first of the year, was the only run of the game until the Indians scored what proved to be the winner in the seventh. Barrett Serrato led off with a walk and scored on a two-out triple by Guy Edmonds for the catcher’s first RBI of the season.

Edmonds was stranded, but the Indians scored twice more in the eighth inning. Garia led off with an infield single and stole second base, one of two steals on the night for the center fielder. With one out, Preston Beck’s infield hit sent Garia to third. Ryan Rua’s fielder’s choice scored Garia. Rua then scored from first base on an error by the right fielder.

Abel De Los Santos (2-1) pitched the first 5 2/3 innings for Spokane, giving up five hits and one walk while striking out four. He left in the sixth after giving up a two-out triple. Joseph Burns came in to get the final out of the inning and added two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and fanning two.

Josh McElwee came on in the ninth and gave up Boise’s lone run before retiring the side.

The Indians improved to 6-9, with four of those victories coming against the Hawks, and are in second place in the East Division, behind the Yakima Bears.

Spokane finishes the three-game road set at Boise tonight before playing three at Yakima. The Indians return home Wednesday.