Hoying leads Indians to first-half title

SPOKANE - Jared Hoying hit a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth to cap the Spokane Indians' 7-0 over the Tri-City Dust Devils in the second game of a Northwest League baseball doubleheader Sunday night before 3,425 at Avista Stadium.

Hoying stole a base and scored two runs for the Indians (21-16), who captured the first-half title in the East Division, guaranteeing them a playoff spot.

Santiago Chirino doubled in Spokane's first run in the fourth, and Ryan Strausborger singled home Clark Murphy later in the inning.

The Indians got another run in the fifth when Hoying scored from third on a wild pitch.

Hoying went 2 for 4, raising his average to .302.

Spokane reliever Tim Sanford picked up the win, walking one and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings of work.

In the first game, Tri-City (17-20) brought home five runs in the six and seventh innings in the Dust Devils' 10-3 win in a makeup game of a rainout in June. Hoying hit his sixth home run of the season for Spokane.