Boise Hawks own basepaths in 11-2 win over Indians

The Boise Hawks had so many hits and base runners Sunday that their batters were looking to take a break.

“This was a crazy game,” cleanup hitter Kevin Padlo said after the Hawks collected 21 hits and 30 base runners during an 11-2 victory over the Spokane Indians (9-9). “I’ve never seen so many base runners. I sat down after my fifth at-bat and I was like, ‘All right, I think I’m done for the day,’ and then I get another at-bat in the ninth inning. It was crazy.”

Carlos Herrera, Yonathan Daza and Terry McClure all finished 4 for 5 as Boise (7-11) tied the five-game Northwest League series at Avista Stadium at 1 win apiece.

“We didn’t miss too many barrels today,” Indians manager Tim Hulett said of his five pitchers who allowed at least two hits in every inning except the eighth.

“We’re definitely swinging it right now, as a whole team, so it’s good to see,” said Padlo, who had three runs batted in to increase his league lead to 19. “As long as your hitting the ball, you’re going to win some games.”

Daza, batting in front of Padlo, took over the league batting lead at .418. The Hawks’ team batting average jumped from .258 to .275.

Still, the Indians trailed just 2-1 when Boise came to bat in the top of the sixth. Padlo provided the big blow, a two-run double off the base of the left-field wall for a 5-1 advantage.

“I’ve just been getting some good hits with runners in scoring position,” Padlo said. “That’s the name of the game and it’s just been happening for me. (Daza) is always on base. The whole top of the lineup has been getting on base for me. Right places at the right time, so it’s good.”

“We were in the game for a long time,” Hulett said. “Even though the hits were like 15-4, we were staying in the game and then it just fell apart.”

The Hawks piled up six hits and six runs over the final three innings, including McClure’s two-run homer to right field in the ninth.

Boise also got a solid start from right-hander Logan Sawyer (2-0), who scattered four hits and allowed one earned run in seven innings.

The Indians finished with five hits, led by second baseman Leon Byrd’s 3-for-3 game. Byrd drove in both runs with doubles in the first and eighth.

In Spokane’s first, Darius Day led off with an infield single and scored on Byrd’s double into the right-field corner. Day ran through a stop sign from third-base coach Hulett.

“Yes, he did,” Hulett said. “He most definitely did. I guess he knows his speed better than I do, but if their relay guy doesn’t double-clutch, (Day) might have been out.”

On the bright side, Indians batters only struck out once, and first baseman Diego Cedeno and left fielder Connor McKay turned in nifty double plays to keep the score close in the early going.

Indians outfielder Ledarious Clark, who has a 15-game hitting streak and is batting .394, took the afternoon off.