Indians snap eight-game losing streak with solid pitching, hitting

Cole Ragan’s dominant start and the offense’s magic sticks on Harry Potter Night combined to lead the Spokane Indians (4-10) to a 6-1 win over the Tri-City Dust Devils (10-4) to snap a eight-game losing streak during Wednesday’s Northwest League series finale at Avista Stadium.

Spokane starter and No. 8 Texas Rangers prospect Ragans threw four hitless innings and struck out six but walked five batters. Ragans was opposed by Adrian Morejon, the San Diego Padres’ No. 3-ranked prospect, who threw five innings and allowed four hits, two runs, no walks and struck out five.

The starters matched zeroes until Spokane’s Kole Enright opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the fourth.

The Indians maintained a no-hitter until the sixth before Luis Asuncion hit a leadoff double against reliever Reiver Sanmartin. Felipe Blanco followed with an RBI groundout to reduce the lead to 2-1.

Spokane’s Yohel Pozo reached base on a fielding error by second baseman Blanco to begin the bottom of the sixth. Pozo advanced to third on a single and scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 lead. Two walks followed and presented Curtis Terry with the bases loaded and one out.

Every runner scored when Terry singled to second base and Blanco overthrew first base, chased down the ball and overthrew third base. The result was a 6-1 Indians lead.

Relievers Jacob Rogers and Sanmartin ensured the Indians’ victory by combining for five strong innings, allowing four hits and one run, walking one and striking out three.

The Indians begin a five-game series on the road against the Boise Hawks (6-7) at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Stadium.