Spokane uses timely hitting to take series against Salem-Keizer, 5-3

SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane survived a wild game to take the series beating Salem-Keizer 5-3 Thursday night in front of 6,027 at Avista Stadium.

The Indians took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning and never relinquished it, taking three of the first four games from the Volcanoes in a playoff-implicating series for Salem-Keizer.

Spokane struck first in the home half of the first inning on a bases loaded walk by Luke Tendler from the offering of Volcanoes starter Ethan Miller. The Volcanoes closed the inning the next batter on a double play, the first of four on the night defensively for Salem-Keizer.

The Volcanoes answered back in the top of the fourth inning after stranding Ryder Jones' double to lead off the second inning as well as leaving the bases loaded with two outs in the third frame. Salem-Keizer juiced the bases on hits from Aramis Garcia and Dylan Davis followed by error reach by Hunter Cole. T Relaford singled to score two and put the Volcanoes on top. With a 2-1 lead and no outs, the Volcanoes had the bases loaded again on a fielder's choice reach by Seth Harrison, but Austin Slater struck out and Christian Arroyo grounded into an inning-ending double play.

The Indians responded the next half inning, plating two on a RBI single from Chuck Moorman to take the lead back 3-2.

Spokane tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a Seth Spivey RBI single to score Eduard Pinto who lead off the frame with a base hit.

Salem-Keizer brought the game within a run again in the top of the sixth inning as Harrison's bunt allowed Dylan Davis to come in from third base.

Spokane would add an insurance run off DJ Snelten in the eighth inning on a RBI single from Josh Morgan to make the score 5-3.

Salem-Keizer's offense could only muster two hits in the final two innings, including a leadoff single in the ninth inning from Slater, but Skyler Ewing grounded into a double play that ended the game.

Volcanoes starter Ethan Miller finished going five innings allowing four earned runs on eight hits and a season high three walks with one strikeout.

The Volcanoes benefitted from Tri-City's 5-2 win over Hillsboro and Everett's 13-8 victory over Boise in 10 innings at Memorial Stadium. Therefore, the Volcanoes remain three games back of the Hops with four remaining games in the regular season. If Hillsboro wins the second half, the first tiebreaker for the other Northwest League South Division playoff team goes to the best overall record over the course of the season. Boise (39-33) leads Salem-Keizer (37-35) by two games in that category. The Volcanoes finish the season with three games in Boise to close the season starting Saturday night.

Up Next: Salem-Keizer wraps up the season series against Spokane Friday night inside Avista Stadium. The Volcanoes send Nick Gonzales (2-4, 3.28 ERA) opposite David Perez (0-0, 3.97 ERA).