SPOKANE – Spokane’s pitchers stumped Everett’s often potent offense Wednesday night, holding the AquaSox to just two hits in a 6-1 Northwest League victory before more than 5,000 fans at Avista Stadium.
Spokane starter Shawn Philips (2-1) worked five innings, struck out six batters and scattered one hit to earn the victory for the Indians, who improve to 27-25 in the East Division.
In two innings of relief, Spokane’s 18-year-old pitcher Eric Hurley retired nine of the 10 batters he faced before being relieved by Jarrad Burcie, who pitched the ninth.
The AquaSox, who hold a two-game lead over Salem-Keizer for first place in the West Division, entered Wednesday’s meeting having scored 21 runs on 31 hits in their past three games.
That trend looked like it would continue in the first inning after Everett’s Casey Craig homered to lead off the first inning for a 1-0 Sox lead.
That was all the offense the AquaSox would muster.
The Frogs reached base just three times through seven innings and then twice in the final two.
Spokane’s Travis Metcalf hit a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Indians a 2-1 lead. Metcalf, who leads the Northwest League with 46 RBI, has gone a combined 6-for-16 with seven RBI in three games against the AquaSox. And he’s not even the Indians’ biggest threat. Spokane designated hitter Jim Fasano holds that distinction. The 6-foot-4 Fasano, who finished the game 2-for-4, has seven hits, three doubles, a home run and five RBI in three games.
The Indians scored a run in the second, the fourth and two in the eighth on 10 hits to end a two game losing streak.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
