Indians lose heartbreaker, now tied with Vancouver for first

SPOKANE - One out from clinching a playoff spot, Spokane allowed a two-run home run to Corey Simpson in the ninth inning and the Everett AquaSox beat the Spokane Indians 3-2 in Northwest League baseball Sunday afternoon before 4,448 at Avista Stadium.

The loss, coupled with Vancouver's 9-0 victory over Tri-City on Sunday, leaves Spokane and Vancouver tied with 24-13 records with one game remaining in the first half. Spokane holds the tiebreaker, and would clinch a playoff berth with a win over Everett at home tonight at 6:30.

Spokane took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth when Luke Tendler singled in Isiah Kiner-Falefa with one out. Saquan Johnson homered leading off the bottom of the sixth for the Indians to tie the game at 1.

Richelson Pena struck out four and allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. John Fasola took the loss in relief, allowing two runs on two hits in two innings, with three strikeouts.