Northwest League tops Pioneer

OGDEN, Utah — Spokane Indians third baseman and seven-hole hitter Xavier Turner was part of a seven-run fourth inning, powering the Northwest League All-Stars to an 11-5 rout of the Pioneer League All-Stars in the second Northwest League vs. Pioneer League All-Star Game in front of 5,339 at Lindquist Field on Tuesday.

In the big top half of the inning, Turner singled with no outs to load the bases. The next batter, Cavan Biggio of the Vancouver Canadians — son of former Houston Astros star Craig Biggio — hit a two-RBI triple that scored Turner for the go-ahead run.

In the top of the third, Turner hit a solo home run that gave the Northwest League a 1-0 lead. He finished 3 for 3 with two runs. Biggio, who like his father plays second base, went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Chris Pieters and leadoff hitter Ashford Fulmer each went 2 for 4.

Northwest League starting pitcher Brandon Miller of Everett AquaSox allowed one hit and no runs, pitching just the first inning. Hillsboro’s Tyler Mark pitched a perfect second, before Patrick Murphy allowed four earned runs and a home run in the third, a solo shot by DJ Peters of the Pioneer League. Four pitchers who followed, including Spokane’s Tyler Ferguson, who pitched a perfect seventh, combined to allow just one run.

Indians catcher Seth Spivey started the game, batted ninth and went 0-for-2.

After a day off today, Spokane plays Thursday at Salem-Keizer at 6:35 p.m. to begin a four-game series.