Friday night's game at sold-out Avista Stadium was the last time the Spokane Indians will play at home until July 29. Read game story

Northwest League teams usually don't take road trips as long as 11 games, but the Indians are in that situation -- knowing that the schedule in August will be much kinder.

 

Spokane will play five games at Boise, starting Saturday, followed by three at Everett and three at Tri-City. The Indians' next home game is July 29 to open a five-game series against Eugene.

 

The Indians (14-15) are 4-1 against Boise this season. They'll need to continue that trend to be within striking distance of North Division-leading Everett (17-12) when that series begins Thursday. By the time the Everett series ends, the first half of the season will be down to one game -- July 26 at Tri-City.

 

The Indians will play only 11 home games in July. They'll make up for that with 16 home games in August.

 

"This trip could be make-it-or-break-it," Indians manager Tim Hulett said. "So we're going to find out what these guys are about. Eleven days on the road won't be easy. We play pretty well at home, but we're going to have to figure out how to play well on the road."

 

Actually, the Indians' home record (8-8) isn't much different than their road mark (6-7). But by the time this road swing ends, they'll have played 16 games at home and 24 on the road.

 

 

 

---

---