Yerry Rodriguez pitches Spokane Indians into first-place tie with Vancouver

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Yerry Rodriguez’s masterful performance Friday moved the Spokane Indians into first place.

Rodriguez pitched seven shutout innings as the Indians opened a three-game series at Nat Bailey Stadium by defeating the Vancouver Candians 4-1, leaving both teams 13-9 in the Northwest League’s North Division.

Kevin Mendoza doubled in two runs during a four-run first inning to ignite the Indians.

Rodriguez (2-0), a 20-year-old Dominican who just moved up from the Arizona Rookie League, allowed four hits, striking out six and walking one, before giving way to Reggie Meyer.

Meyer surrendered a solo homer to Tanner Kirwer in the eighth, but Sean Chandler pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save. Chandler lowered his earned-run average to 1.56.

The NWL season is down to 16 games. Spokane is attempting to win the second-half title and meet Everett in the division playoffs.

Francisco Ventura started Spokane’s early scoring with an RBI single to left field. Mendoza made it 3-0 with his double to right, then scored on Cristian Inoa’s single to center.

Inoa, batting sixth in the lineup, finished 3 for 4 to boost his average to .262.

Vancouver leads the season series 4-3. The Canadians and Indians will also meet in a season-ending series in Spokane.

The Indians kicked off a six-game road swing. Their next home game will be Thursday against Salem-Keizer.