Cueno powers Hawks past Indians

SPOKANE - Ryan Cueno went 2 for 5 with three RBIs and a two-run home run in the fifth inning as the Boise Hawks defeated the Spokane Indians 7-3 in front of a sold-out crowd of 6,823 at Avista Stadium in a Northwest League baseball game on Saturday.

Cueno doubled with two out in the first inning to score Wilson Contreras to give Boise a 1-0 lead. In the second, Brad Zapenas hit a two-run home run over the left field wall to extend the lead to 3-0.

In the fourth, Brett Nicholas hit a two-run home run to pull Spokane within 5-2. The Indians added another run when Edwin Garcia grounded out to score Hanser Alberto.

Contreras hit a solo home run to give Boise a 6-3 lead in the sixth.

Spokane (10-15 second half, 30-33 overall) leads Boise (12-13, 29-34) by one game for second place in the overall NWL East Division standings. Should Tri-City win both halves, the second-place team will join the Dust Devils in the NWL playoffs starting in two weeks.

Spokane plays Tri-City in Pasco, Wash., tonight at 7:15.