Bears Win 4-1 To Take Series In Spokane

The Yakima Bears beat the Spokane Indians 4-1 Friday night at Avista Stadium in Spokane, Washington. The Bears took two of three from the Indians in series and Yakima has now won five-consecutive series, including two on the road.

The Bears took an early lead in the first, when Shaun Cooper reached on a walk, moved to second on a groundout, and then scored on a single from Jimmy Comerota. In the second inning the Bears extended the lead thanks to a double by Steven Rodriguez that scored Joe Loftus, who had been hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Comerota came through again with a single in the seventh inning that plated both Josh Parr and Cooper, who had reached on walks.

Comerota finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and Cooper set a new season-high for a Bears batter with four walks. The double by Rodriguez was the game’s only extra-base hit, as the Bears outhit the Indians 6-5.

Kyle Owings was outstanding in his first professional start, allowing no walks and only two hits while fanning five in six scoreless innings. Owings, now 1-1, earned his first professional win. Frank Santana gave up the only run in two innings of work and Victor Acosta earned his first save by pitching a scoreless ninth.

At 13-9, the Bears still have a three-game lead in the Northwest League East Division. The Bears start a three-game series against the Boise Hawks Saturday night. All three games will start at 7:05. Lefty Alex Carreras is scheduled to pitch for the Bears against right-handed pitcher Tayler Scott of Boise.