Errors prove costly as Spokane Indians fall out of first place

BOISE – The Spokane Indians threw away their chance to remain tied for first place on Friday.

The Indians committed three errors during Boise’s four-run eighth inning as the Hawks rallied for an 8-6 Northwest League win at Memorial Stadium.

Spokane (17-18) entered the night tied for first place with Tri-City in the NWL’s North Division. The Dust Devils (18-17) defeated Hillsboro 2-0 to take a one-game lead with three games remaining in the season’s first half.

North rivals Everett and Vancouver both lost to drop to 16-19.

The Indians stormed ahead 5-0. Seth Spivey had an RBI single in the first and a two-run single in the third before Todd McDonald hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot to right in the fourth.

The Indians led 6-2 after Chad Smith’s RBI double in the fifth.

The Hawks began their rally with Willie Abreu’s two-run single in the sixth. The single was on a grounder to pitcher Sal Mendez, who added a throwing error on the play.

Spokane finished with six errors while Boise (15-20) had none.