Spokane Indians pregame: Righty Florencio Serrano faces Tri-City in series opener

The Spokane Indians face the Tri-City Dust Devils in the opener of a three-game Northwest League series at Avista Stadium at 6:35 p.m.

The Indians (9-2, first in North) will send right-hander Florencio Serrano (0-0, 10.80) against LHP Ethan Elliot (0-0, 0.00 in 1 IP) for the Dust Devils (4-7, fourth in South).

Serrano had a rough go in his first start against Salem-Keizer on June 18. The 19-year-old went 1 2/3 innings and allowed two earned run on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts.

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

Weather: First pitch – mostly sunny, 76. Final out – clear, 64.

Player to watch: Starling Joseph. The 20-year-old is repeating the short-season A level and is off to a rough start, hitting .188/.325/.344 (6 for 32) with just three extra-base hits (two doubles, one home run) this season. He’s batting fifth in the lineup.

Last night: Sam Hellinger struck out six over 3 1/3 innings during the middle third of the game and the Indians (9-2) held on to beat the Hawks (3-8) 3-2 in the finale of a four-game Northwest League series at Avista Stadium on Monday.

Blaine Crim’s two-out RBI double in the fifth delivered Luis Asuncion, who had singled earlier, as the go-ahead run. Warner Leal pitched two scoreless innings for the save. Crim finished 3 for 4 and Asuncion went 2 for 3 with two runs.

Ex-Indians news: Jax Biggers went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base and knocked in Frainyer Chavez in the ninth inning to lift Hickory over Hagerstown 7-6. Biggers is hitting .316/.385/.386 this season for the Crawdads.