The Spokane Indians experienced a rough outing on the diamond, dropping a 9-0 decision to the Hillsboro Hops in the Northwest League. The defeat dropped Spokane to 24-26, leaving them five games back of the playoff picture with just fifteen games remaining in the season.
A Fifth-Inning Burst
Hillsboro struck first with a five-run burst in the fifth, a rally sparked by a clutch triple from J.D. Dix that pushed the lead to 5-0. The momentum carried into the sixth, where four more runs were added, extending the gap beyond reach.
Wallace Clark provided the early spark with a solo home run in the fourth inning, giving the Hops a 5-0 advantage before the fifth inning explosion. His blast was the first of what would become a multi-run onslaught.
Spokane's pitching staff struggled to contain the offense. Aiden May, who entered the game with a 0-1 record and a 4.61 ERA, surrendered five runs over four innings before being pulled. The outing left him with a 0-1 record and a 4.61 ERA for the season.
The Indians' bats were quiet throughout, managing only three hits and three walks. The lack of offensive firepower compounded the deficit, as the team could not mount a comeback despite the late innings.
Looking Ahead
The series will continue on Friday at Avista Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Spokane will look to regroup and claw back into contention as the season progresses, hoping to close the gap in the playoff race.