Spokane rolls, Pirates stumble

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Pirates couldn’t find the winning formula Wednesday night as Moses Lake fell to 0-13 this season with a 9-1 loss to the Spokane RiverHawks.

After Moses Lake’s 13th consecutive loss to start the season, Pirates head coach Steve Keller said his team struggled on the mound and defensively on the road against the RiverHawks.

“We let some errors and walks get after us a little bit,” he said. “The guys didn’t get through the mistakes too well.”

Moses Lake’s Tony Smith got the start on the mound for the Pirates Wednesday night but gave up four runs in just two innings of work.

With his starting pitcher struggling early, Keller was forced to turn to relief pitcher Miles Scribner and his bullpen early in the contest. Keller said Scribner had another solid performance in relief. 

“Miles Scribner threw well in relief for us,” Keller said.

The Spokane line up was able to get to Smith and the Pirates early, taking a 5-0 lead after just three inning of play.

Moses Lake’s lone offensive spark came in the top the fifth inning when catcher Peter Estes singled up the middle for the Pirates. Estes managed to make his way around the bases before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Peter Kelly. Estes went 1-for-3 for the Pirates.

Although Estes singled and scored Moses Lake’s only run of the contest, Keller said Estes and Brian Pullen had strong performances at the plate for the Pirates.

“Estes and Pullen had some good at-bats for us,” he said.

Keller said the key to Wednesday’s game came down to pitching.

“We left some pitches up and they hit them,” he said. “Their pitchers threw strikes and kept pitches down.”