Spokane Indians ride huge first inning to split of doubleheader with Boise Hawks

The Spokane Indians (2-2) erupted for seven runs in the first inning against the Boise Hawks (2-2) en route to a 10-0 victory and a split of a Father’s Day doubleheader after losing the opener 3-1 Sunday at Avista Stadium.

The Indians were powered by two home runs from outfielder Kobie Taylor and a dominant outing from right-handed starting pitcher Reiver Sanmartin.

Sanmartin pitched five innings, surrendering only six hits, while striking out six.

“He was getting ahead of hitters with the first pitch, throwing the fastball for a strike,” manager Matt Hagen said of Sanmartin. “That allowed him to then throw his secondary pitches to keep guys off-balance. He had it all working, you go out there and get a lead like that, it allows him to relax a little bit and just put it cruise control.”

After Spokane struggled in the first game with 10 strikeouts in the loss, every thing was working at the plate in the second game for the Indians.

Spokane had nine hits, including Taylor’s blasts.

“Every time you get up there you try to be dangerous and get a good pitch to hit and it’s good to be seeing the ball,” Taylor said. “I keep the same approach no matter what I don’t care if I’m 0 for 4 with four strikeouts or 4 for 4 with four home runs I keep the same approach and try to smack it. The first was a fastball up and the second was a curveball up. I thought I had another home run in my third at-bat. I’m saying no wind, that could’ve went.”

First baseman Andretty Cordero added two hits, including a first-inning home run. Indians catcher Isaias Quiroz scored twice, and had an RBI double in the first inning.

The two teams will match up again Monday night at Avista Stadium for the final game of this five-game series.

In Sunday’s opener, Indians right-hander Alex Speas delivered a 1-2-3 first inning, but he lost some of that control in the second. The 19-year-old gave up three hits, including a home run by Bobby Wernes to left field, and picked up a throwing error after attempting to pick off Boise’s Ryan Metzler at second base.

Right-hander Joe Kuzia replaced Speas on the mound after the starter reached his pitch count. Kuzia struck out the following batter to end the inning.

The Indians got on the board with a two-hit inning in the bottom of the second, beginning with Charles Leblanc’s single to left field. Leblanc moved to scoring position when he took second on a wild pitch to Chad Smith. Smith worked the count to 3-2 before lining an RBI double to center field.

Cordero had a pair of singles for the Indians.