Spokane Indians fall short of Salem-Keizer to complete five-game home series

Salem-Keizer starter Jose Marte tossed five strong innings Wednesday in a 3-2 win over the Spokane Indians to complete a five-game Northwest League series at Avista Stadium.

Marte (1-1) allowed three hits and one earned run, striking out five and walking one.

S-K (15-19) scored its first run in the first inning on an infield single by Orlando Garcia with runners on the corners.

Melvin Novoa responded with a two-out RBI double in the Indians’ (14-20) first to tie the game at 1.

The Volcanoes quickly regained their lead with a run-scoring single by Kevin Rivera and a sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead in the second.

Spokane relievers Ismel Lopez and Argenis Rodriguez kept the game close as they combined for 7 1/3 shutout innings, allowing four hits while striking out 11 and walking one.

Volcanoes reliever Garrett Cave entered in the ninth. Novoa walked and came around to score on three wild pitches.

Cave walked Kole Enright with two outs, but Curtis Terry struck out to end the game.

Despite the wildness, Cave earned his third save of the season.

The Volcanoes committed one error while the Indians had three.

The Indians will head to Ron Tonkin Field to begin a five-game series against the Hillsboro Hops, starting at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday.