Spokane Indians beat Volcanoes to end three-game losing streak

KEIZER, Ore. – Joe Palumbo pitched 6 2/3 innings of strong relief and the Spokane Indians snapped a three-game losing streak with a crisp 4-1 Northwest League win over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes on a hot Friday night.

Starter Dillon Tate, the Texas Rangers’ top pick and the fourth overall in the recent major league draft, struggled in his Indians debut, walking the bases full but getting a double-play ground ball to escape a threat in his only inning.

Palumbo (1-1) took over from there and retired 11 straight at one point. He gave up five hits, a solo homer and no walks while striking out five. It was his second appearance for the Indians after losing in a start in which he went 3 2/3 innings. Jason Hoppe finished up and collected the club’s first save.

The Indians broke a scoreless tie in the sixth when Jaime Potts hit a two-out, two-run homer to right, his first of the season, driving in LaDarious Clark, who had singled to lead off.

In the eighth, Leon Byrd, who had two hits, doubled down the left-field line to score Clark, who reached on an error. Two outs later, Dylan Moore’s infield single put runners on first and third. Byrd scored on a double steal with the Volcanoes unable to handle the throw to second.

Spokane’s defense had an errorless night, turning in two double plays.

The temperature at the start of the series opener was 99 degrees.