Indians Lose Heartbreaker at Avista

Spokane, WA - Justin Sprenger, in his second appearance of the season, gave up a tie-breaking three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to Yasiel Balaguert, giving the Boise Hawks the eventual winning score of 4-1. The Spokane Indians fell to 1-6 on the season on B-I-N-G-O Night presented by Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort, 101.1 Rock 'N' Roll Greatest Hits and 1050 The Key.

The Indians started off on the right foot, as Evan Van Hoosier belted his third double in the bottom half of the second. Next, newcomer Kevin Torres reached on a fielder's choice as Boise pitcher Paul Blackburn committed a throwing error that allowed Van Hoosier to round third and score the game's first run.

Blackburn, the NWL leader in ERA, gave up three hits and one walk before being taken out in favor of Carlos Martinez. Martinez (2-0) pitched three scoreless innings to earn his second win.

Indians pitcher Yohander Mendez lasted 4.2 strong innings and retired ten batters in a row at one point, while striking out five and allowing just three hits to lower his ERA to 1.17. Sam Wolff, son of former Spokane Indian Steven Wolff (1983), struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth.

Alberto Truinfel and Janluis Castro both collected hits for the Indians.

The Indians will host Boise for a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 5:30 PM, with the second game following approximately 30 mintues after the conclusion of Game 1. Both games will be seven-inning contests.

The Indians will celebrate Kids Night & OTTO's Birthday Bash presented by Cloverdale Foods, Hits 96.1, 1280 FoxSports and Kids Newspaper, as well as post-game Fireworks presented by Valley Glass, KAYU FOX 28, KISS 98.1, 590 KQNT and The Current. Tickets for all Spokane Indians home games are available for purchase at the Indians Ticket Office, spokaneindians.com or ticketswest.com. Reserve your seats today by calling (509) 343-OTTO (6886).