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Spokane Indians

Spokane Indians pregame: Several roster changes for finale of series against Boise

By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

The Spokane Indians face the Boise Hawks in the finale of a four-game Northwest League series at Avista Stadium at 6:35 p.m.

The Indians (8-2, first in North) will send right-hander John Matthews (NR) against LHP Zak Baayoun (NR) for the Hawks (3-7, fourth in South).

Matthews, 21, was the Texas Rangers eighth-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Kent State and was part of a group of five players out of the most recent draft assigned to the roster on Monday. Joining Matthews are RHP Justin Slaten (third round), RHP Zak Kent (ninth round), RHP Joe Corbett (10th round), RHP Ben Anderson (13th round) and LHP Triston Polley (16th round). Polley is expected to join the team on Tuesday due to travel scheduling.

That brings the total of 2019 draft picks on the Indians roster to nine, including the three positions players (OF Kellen Strahm (fifth round), 1B Blaine Crim (19th) and INF Jake Hoover (28th)) added to the roster on Friday.

Baayoun was the Colorado Rockies 17th round pick out of Long Beach State in the 2019 MLB Draft and is scheduled to make his professional debut.

Lineup: 1) Ricumstrict-CF; 2) Strahm-RF; 3) Inoa-SS; 4) Asuncion-LF; 5) Crim-DH; 6) Garcia-C; 7) McReynolds-1B; 8) Hoover-3B; 9) Martinez-2B.

Weather: First pitch – mostly sunny and breezy, 72. Final out – clear, 62.

Player to watch: Matthews, in his first pro start. As a junior, he led Kent State with seven wins in 16 appearances (11 starts). The righty ranked in the top 10 in the MAC for opposing average (.245), innings (77 2/3), strikeouts (91) and wins (seven). He will probably be on a strict pitch limit in his first outing.

Last night: Kenen Irizarry went 2 for 5 with three RBIs out of the No. 9 spot in the order and the Spokane Indians handled the Boise Hawks 9-1 in the third of a four-game Northwest League series at Avista Stadium on Sunday.

Kellen Strahm went 2 for 5 with two RBIs and a run.

Indians starter Josh Javier walked four in 2 2/3 innings, but only allowed two hits and one run. Nic Laio pitched two innings of shutout relief and allowed two hits and a walk with three strikeouts to earn the win. Glen Richardson followed with 2 1/3 scoreless with three strikeouts and lefty Josh Smith tossed two perfect innings to finish up.

Ex-Indians news: RHP Hans Crouse returned to Low-A Hickory after a month off and pitched three innings and allowed no hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Crouse has bone spurs in his pitching elbow which will require offseason surgery and his pitch count will be strictly managed the remainder of his second full pro season. Crouse is the Rangers No. 1 prospect and No. 62 overall according to MLB.com.