Spokane, WA - 06/30/09 - In their fifth extra inning game of the season, the Spokane Indians fell 6-5 (game stats) to the Tri-City Dust Devils in front of a crowd of 4,343 at Avista Stadium. The Indians now head to Yakima to face the Bears in a three-game series starting tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.

Spokane started off on the right foot in the bottom of the 1st inning when outfielder Jared Prince doubled to left field to score Vincent DiFazio and Aja Barto. Clark Murphy then singled to center to score Prince from second to put the lead at 3-0.

Both teams were quiet until the top of the sixth when the Dust Devils exploded for five runs. In their last opportunity to climb back into the game in the bottom of the 9th, Miguel Alfonzo sent the ball over the left field fence to score Denny Duron and tie up the game 6-6. The Dust Devils were able to score a run in the top of the 10th and close out the ball game.

Indians starting pitcher Robbie Ross was flawless until the 6th inning when he gave up two home runs. He ended up going 5.1 innings, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out nine. Sam Brown (0-1) ended up picking up the loss after allowing five hits and one run in 2.2 innings.

Don’t miss any of the action while the Indians are away by tuning into 1510 KGA Everything Sports with broadcaster Bob Castle. You can also listen online at www.spokaneindiansbaseball.com.

Spokane will return home on July 4th to kick off a five-game homestand with Vancouver, starting with 4th of July Fireworks presented by Comcast. For tickets, please contact the Spokane Indians Ticket Office at 343-OTTO (6886), 1-800-325-SEAT, or by visiting www.ticketswest.com.

Spokane, WA - 06/29/09 - The Spokane Indians were assigned this year's second-round draft pick by their major league affiliate, the Texas Rangers, with the addition of infielder Thomas Mendonca. Mendonca was the 62nd overall pick in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Mendonca, a Fresno State University product, was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year this season. He batted .339 (79-for-233) with 27 home runs and 78 RBIs in 62 games for the Bulldogs. Mendonca also holds the Fresno State school record with 56 career home runs.

Mendonca helped lead Fresno State to the College World Series Championship in 2008. He batted .281 with 19 home runs and 70 RBIs in 77 games, starting all of them. Mendonca was a member of the College World Series Tournament team and was the College World Series Most Outstanding player.

Baseball America rated him as the best collegiate power hitter in the Draft, the 86th-best prospect and 42nd-best position player available.

The Indians play tonight at Avista Stadium for the third and final game of the three-game homestand. Tonight is Youth Baseball Day presented by LEO’s Photography, 95.3 KPND, and the Spokane Valley News Herald. Tickets are still available for tomorrow night by calling the Spokane Indians Ticket Office at 343-OTTO (6886), 1-800-325-SEAT, or by visiting www.ticketswest.com.

Spokane, WA - 06/29/09 - The Spokane Indians bats came alive too little and too late as the Indians fell to the Tri-City Dust Devils 11-6 (game stats) Monday night at Avista Stadium.

Down 9-0 entering the bottom of the 8th, the Indians went through the order and scored six runs, started by an Emmanuel Solis solo home run over the left field wall. Two singles and a walk later, Kyle Rhoad was hit by a pitch to score Danny Lima from third. Vincent DiFazio and Jared Prince then both doubled to score two runners each time.

Solis, who turned 20 years old today, finished the night 2 for 3 with two hits and the home run. DiFazio and Prince both finished the night with two RBI each.

Starting pitcher Kyle Ocampo went 4.2 innings picking up the loss, giving up seven hits and seven runs. Tri-City’s Wes Musick picked up the win, his first of the season.

The Indians return to Avista Stadium tomorrow for the third and final game of the three-game homestand. Tomorrow night is Youth Baseball Day presented by LEO’s Photography, 95.3 KPND, and the Spokane Valley News Herald. Tickets are still available for tomorrow night by calling the Spokane Indians Ticket Office at 509-343-OTTO (6886), 1-800-325-SEAT, or by visiting www.ticketswest.com.

Spokane, WA - 06/28/09 - The Spokane Indians fell 12-7 (game stats) to the Tri-City Dust Devils Sunday night at Avista Stadium. Tied 7-7 entering the 10th inning, Tri-City plated five runners to put away the Indians.

The Dust Devils jumped out to a 6-0 lead by the top of the 4th inning. The Indians responded in their fourth and fifth frame, scoring a total of six runs to climb back into the game. Outfielder Aja Barto batted in one RBI in each of the two innings, picking up the one in the fourth when he belted the ball over the left field wall to score Kyle Rhoad. Barto finished the night 2-5, with four RBI and one home run – his third of the season.

The Dust Devils came right back in the top of the 6th to take the lead, but once again the Indians were able to tie up the game in the bottom of the 7th on a throwing error by the Dust Devils’ Joseph Sanders.

Starting pitcher Trevor Hurley struggled early and left in the 4th inning after giving up six hits and five runs, while striking out four. Left-handed pitchers Joseph Ortiz and Shane Zegarac combined for 4.1 innings of relief, allowing seven hits and two runs, while fanning five Dust Devil batters. Chris Matlock (0-2) picked up the loss in 2.1 innings of work.

The Indians return to Avista Stadium tomorrow for the second game of the three-game homestand. Tomorrow night is Fields of Green Night presented by Cascade Turf and 101.1 FM Rock 'N' Roll's Greatest Hits. Tickets are still available for tomorrow night by calling the Spokane Indians Ticket Office at 509-343-OTTO (6886), 1-800-325-SEAT, or by visiting www.ticketswest.com.