Spokane Indians lose to Tri-City in bottom of ninth inning

PASCO – Time is running out on the Spokane Indians.

After tying the game in the top of the ninth Tuesday, the Indians fell to the Tri-City Dust Devils 4-3 when Justin Lopez singled to right field with two outs in bottom of the inning.

The Dust Devils, who improved to 16-11 in the Northwest League’s North Division in the second-half standings, remained tied for first place with Vancouver with 11 games left in the season. Spokane (14-13) lost the series 2-1 and dropped two games behind the co-leaders.

The Dust Devils’ Jalen Washington walked to lead off the ninth against second Indians pitcher Luis Lopez (1-4). Washington was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Lopez’s single off Samir Vivas.

Spokane tied the game at 3 in the top of the ninth on Cristian Inoa’s sacrifice fly to left. The Indians left the bases loaded in the inning.

The Indians took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Inoa’s two-out single to center. Clayton Middleton scored from second and Austin O’Banion came around from first on center fielder Robbie Podorsky’s throwing error.

The Dust Devils bounced back in the seventh for a 3-2 lead on Podorsky’s two-run single.

Indians starter Tai Tiedemann worked five innings, allowing two hits and one earned run. He struck out four and walked three.

Spokane returns home Wednesday for the first of three games against the same Dust Devils.