From the employee reports

PASCO – Jean Perez hit a solo home run in the eighth inning – the first hit of the game for the away team – and the Spokane Indians defeated the Tri-City Dust Devils 2-1 to split the six-game Northwest League series on Sunday at Gesa Stadium.

The first-place Indians (28-14), who won the league title in the first half to clinch a playoff spot, have not lost a series since May 12 and are three games ahead of second-place Vancouver in the second half. Tri-City fell to 17-25.

Indians starter Yujanyer Herrera was outstanding in his second High-A appearance of the season. The 20-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit and four walks in six shutout innings with six strikeouts.

Spokane took the lead in the fifth inning with some help from the Tri-City defense. With two outs, Skyler Messinger worked a walk and stole second base. Jake Snider threw a ball to right, but first baseman Shane Matheny’s throw missed, allowing Snider to reach second base and Messinger to score.

The Indians loaded the bases with three consecutive walks with two outs in the seventh inning, but reliever Jorge Macheco struck out Jesus Bugarin, leaving them helpless.

The Dust Devils sent runners to the corners with two outs in the bottom half, and a slow bounce to center avoided hitting reliever Bryson Hammer and became an infield single that scored a run by Mac McCroskey and tied the game.

Perez, the Indians’ No. 9 hitter, started the eighth inning first and hit a 1-2 pitch just inside the right outfield for his second home run of the season.

Sam Weatherly took over on the mound for Spokane in the ninth inning. Juan Flores worked a walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Landon Wallace. A sacrifice moved Wallace up a base, but Weatherly struck out Arol Vera and Werner Blakely for his first High-A save of the season.