Lefty Sal Mendez finds groove to propel Indians past Volcanoes 4-3

Indians left-handed pitcher Sal Mendez is a 40th round pick, but his stuff doesn’t reflect that.

Mendez threw five innings, giving up two runs on four hits and struck out five in the Spokane Indians 4-3 win over Salem-Keizer on Tuesday at Avista Stadium.

Two weeks before the 2013 MLB draft, Mendez sprained his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left-throwing elbow. He elected to take advantage of the Rangers’ rehabilitation staff, instead of heading to Howard College in Big Spring, Texas.

It was always Mendez’s dream to play professional baseball, and even though he could have went to college to improve his draft position, he believed it was his time.

“I figured that was my best bet of continuing my dream,” Mendez said.

A six-week rehab process was Mendez’s introduction to minor league baseball. It didn’t go as planned, as Mendez tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2013.

Missing two seasons was tough for the Weehawken, New Jersey native. But there was a silver lining, according to Mendez.

“With sitting a year, comes you being able to observe professional baseball,” Mendez said. “Me having a better mindset definitely helped me out in my first couple of years.”

His return season from Tommy John was terrific, with Mendez posting a 2.57 ERA and 50 strikeouts, which were seventh and eighth in the AZL, respectively.

But Mendez struggled in his first five outings, entering Friday with a 7.24 ERA. He was in desperate need of a solid outing, and delivered to lower his ERA to 6.27.

It’s nothing to brag about, but it’s a start.

“Sal is pitching like Sal has to pitch,” Seaver said. “The first three outings, he didn’t do that. For some reason, he sort of went away from what worked for him previously.”

Salem-Keizer Bryan Reynolds launched a two-run home run to center field to provide the Volcanoes a quick 2-0 lead, Mendez’s only mistake of the outing.

“He left a fastball up, middle of the plate and he got hurt,” Seaver said.

The Volcanoes lead wouldn’t last long. Seth Spivey sent a home run over the scoreboard in right-center field to tie the game at two. Stephen Lohr doubled in Daruis Day and Brallan Perez drove in Lohr with an RBI single to let field to cap off the four-run fourth.

Hanging onto a one run lead entering the ninth inning, Kaleb Fontenot gave up a leadoff single to John Riley and a double to Ryan Howard to put runners on second and third. He regrouped and struck out the next three batters to earn the save.

“Second and third with nobody out, you have to be about perfect,” Seaver said.