Late run sends Indians to loss

VANCOUVER – Things were going swimmingly for Spokane reliever Mark Roberts, but the eighth inning did him, and the Indians, in.

Ryan Ruiz drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth to score pinch runner Joshua Beauregard as the Indians (11-9) fell 3-2 to the Vancouver Canadians Wednesday night in Northwest League baseball action.

Designated hitter Ty Bubalo singled to start the inning for the Canadians (8-12) and was removed for pinch runner Beauregard.

After Roberts struck out Nicolas Blasi, Javier Herrera singled to left, and left fielder Billy Susdorf overran the ball, which let Beauregard and Herrera advance to third and second, respectively.

Roberts then intentionally walked Daniel Putnam before Ruiz drew the walk that forced in Beauregard for the winning run. Because of the intentional walk, the run was considered earned.

Roberts, who fell to 0-3, finished with four innings of two-hit ball, allowing an earned run, walking two and striking out eight.

Ben Harrison singled to left to lead off the ninth, but Susdorf grounded into a double play and Chris Howay (2-0) struck out Jim Fasano to end the game.

The Indians scored early. Brandon Cashman walking in the first and then scored on Travis Metcalf’s double to the left-field corner.

The Canadians got two back in the fourth as Putnam and Ruiz hit consecutive singles. Thomas Everidge singled but Putnam was thrown out trying to score before Myron Leslie singled to score Ruiz and Everidge.

Spokane tied the score in the seventh when Fasano doubled to center, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.