Kevin Fitzer homers twice, Spokane Indians down Tri-City in finale 8-3 | NWL baseball
May 10—With temperatures in the mid-70s for Mother's Day on Sunday and absolutely no breeze for most of the game, Avista Stadium lived up to its reputation as something of a home run haven. And it was the home team that benefited the most. Kevin Fitzer hit home runs in his first two plate appearances — including a grand slam — and the Spokane Indians beat the Tri-City Dust Devils 8-3 in the finale of a six-game High-A Northwest League series at Avista Stadium on Sunday.
The Indians (13-20) took four of six from the Dust Devils (18-15) — the team's first series win since the season-opening three-game set against Everett. The teams hit three home runs each — all in the first 31/2 innings. "It was definitely a good series win for us and good momentum heading into next week at Hillsboro," Fitzer said.
The Indians start a six-game road series against the Hops on Tuesday at 6:35 p. m. Fitzer, who finished 2-for-4 with a walk and five RBIs, entered play with just seven hits in his previous 52 at-bats (.
134) over his last 14 games. A two-homer day — his first as a professional — was just what the doctor ordered. "It's been getting a lot of work in in the cages, stuff like that, making some adjustments, and it felt good today to have it actually show up on the field," Fitzer said.
He had a chance in the eighth inning to make it a three-homer game, but right fielder Randy De Jesus tracked down the long fly ball on the warning track. "It was close," Fitzer said. "But the wind picked up a little bit and I didn't hit it as well.