Indians Shutout Emeralds 8-0
July 17, 2004 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Spokane Indians News Release
SPOKANE, WA â The Spokane Indians (15-13) scored eight runs against the Eugene Emeralds (11-17), but didn't need the last seven of them as they shut out the Emeralds 8-0 in front of 6,830 super heated fans at Avista Stadium. With the game time temperature hovering around 95 degrees for much of the night, the Indians bats stayed hot as they rode the arms of the pitching staff to their second straight win over the Emeralds.
For the second straight night, the Indians pitching staff was stellar and had ample support from the offense. Indians starter Clint Brannon held the Emeralds at bay for the first four innings of the game, limiting them to just one hit. Brannon's partner in the Indians piggyback rotation picked up right where the Arkansas southpaw left off, tossing four nearly identical innings. Mark Roberts (1-4), who ranks near the top of the Northwest League in strikeouts, rang up five Eugene batters via the strikeout, giving him 33 strikeouts in just over 22 innings of work. With his four innings of one hit baseball, Roberts earned his first win of the season. Willy Espinal capped off a magical night for the Indians pitchers with a 1-2-3 inning in the 9th to end the game and secure the second shutout for the Indians this season.
It was business as usual for Indians catcher Mike Nickeas who has been the Indians most consistent offensive weapon this season. The former Georgia Tech catcher had a peach of a game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and three more driven in. All three of Nickeas' RBI's came in the third inning as he blasted a William Ponce (0-4) pitch out of the yard for a three-run homer to give the Indians a 4-0 lead after three innings. Nickeas' blast, his fifth of the year and second in as many nights, landed in the BMW Owners Of America Rally "tent city" that is taking place that the Interstate Fairgrounds this weekend. Billy Susdorf had his second consecutive multiple hit night, going 2-for-4 and scored a run. Aside from making two spectacular catches in right field, Ben Harrison also contributed at the plate, driving in two runs.
The Indians cap off their five-game set with the Emeralds tomorrow night as Hallmark Hyundai, KREM-TV and Cat Country 94 present the biggest name in sports. It's The Famous San Diego Chicken who will be entertaining fans with his special brand of zany on-field antics. Tickets are going fast, but great seats are still available. Be sure to reserve your seats for the best show in sports by calling the Indians at (509) 535-2922.
Northwest League Stories from July 17, 2004
- Canadians win in Boise - Vancouver Canadians
- Volcanoes top Tri-City in 10, 8-7 - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- AquaSox fall to Bears, 14-5 - Everett AquaSox
- Boise tops Canadians again - Vancouver Canadians
- Indians Shutout Emeralds 8-0 - Spokane Indians
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