Tribe Smokes Hops In Series Opener

Chris McMahon had started all 17 games in his professional debut season with Spokane this year, but gave way Wednesday night to Peter Lambert, a Rockies starting pitcher making a rehab start in his return from Tommy John surgery. McMahon had no trouble adjusting to his new role.

The right hander from the University of Miami, who formed a tough tandem with Hops pitcher Slade Cecconi in the 'Canes rotation, held the Hops scoreless until the ninth inning until Andy Yerzy's homer broke up a shutout in Spokane's 6-1 win over Hillsboro (42-48) at Avista Stadium.

The opener of the six-game series was delayed a day by smoke from a wildfire to the southwest which blew into the Spokane Valley Tuesday afternoon and caused air quality to reach unhealthy levels. The air was crystal-clear Wednesday as the Indians (46-44) won their ninth game in their last 12 to continue their race toward a potential playoff berth in the High-A West League.

McMahon (7-3) took over in the third inning and gave up a one-out single to Jorge Barrosa, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games, one off a season-high for the Hops (Dom Canzone hit in 12 consecutive games before being promoted to AA Amarillo on July 26, where he continued his streak for another five games). McMahon promptly picked off Barrosa, then retired 13 consecutive Hops until Blaze Alexander led off the eighth with a single. Unfortunately, another baserunner miscue cost the Hops a potential big inning. With two on and none out, Nick Dalesandro hit a bouncer up the middle that deflected off the glove of second baseman Jack Blomgren , but Alexander rounded third base too far and was thrown out trying to get back. McMahon walked the next batter Leodany Perez , so instead of bases loaded, a run home and none out, the Hops had bases loaded and one out. The righty from West Chester, PA fanned Barrosa and got Cam Coursey to pop out to second to end the threat.

By then, McMahon, who struck out eight and walked one over a season-high seven innings, had all the run support he would need. Hops starter Blake Walston (2-2) was pulled after just three innings. He surrendered an unearned run in the second on three hits and an Alexander error, bookended by 1-2-3 innings in the first and third. Josh McMinn struggled through his three innings, surrendering eight hits and five earned runs, the last coming on Brenton Doyle 's 11th homer of the season leading off the sixth.

Alexander had two of the Hops five hits on the night. Daniel Montano went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Doyle had two hits and two runs scored and Grant Lavigne had two hits and two RBI for Spokane.

The Hops and Indians play game two of their series Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. Pregame airtime on Rip City Radio 620 AM is at 6:20 p.m.