Owen Spiwak’s grand slam boosts Vancouver past Spokane Indians to complete series

The Spokane Indians are in a tight race for a playoff spot, with the top three teams in the Northwest League’s North Division within one game of each other.

Although Indians manager Matt Hagen said he’s hopeful that Spokane’s strong defense and big bats will give the Indians a good run to postseason, it’s the bullpen that could be the downfall.

“At this point in the season our destiny is in our hands,” Hagen said. For the last two weeks, “every pitch is a big deal, every play is a big deal and every swing is a big deal.”

On Saturday, in Spokane’s 10-1 loss to the Vancouver Canadians in the finale of a four-game series at Avista Stadium, Spokane’s bullpen struggled, a common theme of this season’s losses.

Indians starting pitcher Demarcus Evans pitched only one-third of an inning. He was pulled after seven batters when he walked three, and allowed two hits and three earned runs.

Vancouver quickly jumped ahead, scoring three runs in the first.

Evans walked the first two batters. Logan Warmoth followed with a single to center field for a 2-0 lead.

After Vancouver loaded the bases on a walk and infield single, Warmoth scored on a fielding error by shortstop Chris Seise.

Spokane right-hander Ismel Lopez loaded the bases on back-to-back walks and a one-out single to right in the third. The righty then walked Bryan Lizardo to give Vancouver a 4-0 lead.

Vancouver’s Owen Spiwak, who hadn’t homered this season, cleared the bases with his slam to right for an 8-0 advantage.

“We thought, ‘OK, he’s (Lopez) got a good changeup. He’ll keep it down and get the guy out front. We’ll get a ground ball.’ And then he leads fast ball up,” Hagen said. “But that’s the beauty of baseball. One pitch and it’s a four-run swing.”

Lopez’s six-run night was a season high.

“He has been one of the better guys in our bullpen throughout the year statistically,” Hagen said. “The third inning, it just all went bad.”

The Canadians added another run when Norberto Obeso doubled down the left-field line to drive in Reggie Pruitt from first base.

Hagen brought in Samir Vivas to replace Lopez, who allowed four hits and six earned runs while walking three in two innings.

The Indians finally got on the board in the sixth. Whatley led off with a double to right, Austin O’Banion was hit by a pitch and Curtis Terry loaded the bases with a single to left.

Whatley scored when Isaias Quiroz grounded into a double play.

Evans (0-1, 5.56 ERA) took the loss.

“I didn’t have my mind focused today,” Evans said. “I was just trying to be too perfect instead of just having fun and pitching.”

Indians relivers Vivas and Alex Speas combined for seven strikeouts, allowed no hits and issued a walk apiece.

The Indians outhit the Canadians 10-9.

The loss dropped the Indians (13-11 second half) out of first place in the NWL North standings. The Canadians (14-10) remained tied at the top of the standings with Tri-City.

The Indians head to Tri-City on Sunday for the first of a three-game series at Gesa Stadium at 7:15 p.m.