Nicholas shines again for Indians

SPOKANE - For the second straight night, Brett Nicholas provided the winning hit, an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, and the Spokane Indians beat the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 4-3 in Northwest League baseball Sunday before 4,090 at Avista Stadium.

Nicholas, 4 for 5 for his second straight game, hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the game 3-3.

Ruben Sierra Jr. doubled in his first run of the season in the second to put Spokane on the board.

Indians starter Santo Perez lasted five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out three. Closer Francisco Mendoza held the Volcanoes to one run in two innings for the win while striking out four.

Spokane (2-1) hosts Salem-Keizer (1-2) again tonight at 6:30.