Spokane Indians lose slugger Andretty Cordero to promotion before dropping game

Nothing is ever permanent in the minor leagues, especially when it comes to keeping talented players on the roster.

The talent is quickly moved up through the farm system, leaving lower affiliates struggling to find their new standout.

Spokane Indians manager Matt Hagen lost another strong presence on his team Wednesday when slugger Andretty Cordero was promoted to the Hickory Crawdads, the Texas Rangers’ Class A affiliate. The 20-year-old infielder left for Hickory, North Carolina, early Wednesday morning.

“He earned it,” said Hagen, who was not overly excited about losing one of the Indians’ best players. “But that’s the idea – have them (the players) produce, perform, develop and go up.”

Cordero began his career in the Rangers’ rookie league in the Dominican Republic in 2014 and played for three seasons before being assigned to the Indians this season.

Cordero became the offensive spark for the Indians this season, powering his team to several one-run victories and four series wins this season.

“We’re going to miss him, not only for his presence in the lineup, obviously with his numbers, but his presence in (the dugout) and in there (the clubhouse). He just brought good energy that everybody fed off of,” Hagen said. “Now somebody is going to have to step up and be that guy.”

Cordero played in all but two games for the Indians, posting a .277 batting average (33 for 119). He leaves the Indians leading the team with 33 hits, 24 RBIs and eight home runs – second most in the Northwest League.

The Indians were definitely feeling Cordero’s absence on Wednesday, especially at the plate, when they notched only four hits as they fell to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 3-2 at Avista Stadium.

“We struggled to get our hits tonight,” Hagen said. “Overall, it just wasn’t enough. We didn’t get enough going.”

The Volcanoes jumped out to a lead in the first inning. Salem-Keizer’s Bryce Johnson reached base on a fielder’s choice, took second base on a walk and stole third base. Indians catcher Melvin Novoa made a perfect toss to third baseman Kole Enright, but Enright dropped the ball on the tag.

Salem-Keizer’s Orlando Garcia followed with a high chopper to Indians shortstop Cristian Inoa, who had no play on Garcia at home.

The Indians answered with a run in the bottom of the first that began with Chad Smith drawing a walk on a 3-2 count. Novoa doubled on his first pitch on a hard grounder down the third-base line, sending home Smith to equalize the score at 1.

Salem-Keizer pulled ahead in the second as Alex Speas (0-5) struggled on the mound. The righty walking Michael Sexton to start the inning. Sexton moved to second base on a wild pitch and scored on Kevin Rivera’s lined single to center field.

Speas made a throw to Indians first baseman Curtis Terry while trying to pick off Rivera at first, sending Rivera to third base. Rivera scored on a sacrifice fly to center, improving Salem-Keizer’s lead to 3-1.

Spokane’s offense went cold as the Indians managed to garner only two more hits after the first.

Novoa notched another hit in the fourth on a single to left. He moved into scoring position at second on a wild pitch before the Indians ended the inning on a fly to left.

The Indians got into scoring position in the sixth when Yonny Hernandez walked. Hernandez moved to second on a passed ball, but was left stranded by three consecutive strikeouts.

The Indians had a chance to come back in the ninth. Novoa drew a walk on four consecutive pitches and scored on three wild pitches for a 3-2 game.

With two outs, Enright reached first base on another walk by Volcanoes closer Garrett Cave. Terry followed, working the count to 2-2 before going down swinging to end the game.

Novoa led the Indians with a pair of hits and a walk in four plate appearances.

“We had a little struggle, but we’re making adjustments,” Novoa said. “We completed the game, and we (kept) fighting.”