Bulldogs fail in comeback effort

SPOKANE - Sandpoint spotted West Valley 10 runs in the first two innings, then clamped down and chipped away at the lead before falling 10-8 and suffering its first loss of the season Wednesday afternoon at West Valley High School.

Cory Hawkins and Chris Strickley each hit home runs for the Bulldogs (5-1), who managed to load the bases with nobody out in the top of the seventh before striking out three consecutive times to end the game. Head coach Doug Semones has been pleasantly surprised by the offense of Strickley this season.

“He's a little skinny guy but he belted it,” said Semones of Strickley's homer. “He's been hitting it pretty good.”

Cole Tonnemacher started the game for Sandpoint, which walked five batters and gave up six hits in the first two innings before settling down and posting zeroes the rest of the way. Jordan Hammack and Cory Hawkins were solid in relief, and Woody Hawkins had two hits filling in behind the plate for the sick Cody Reichart.

Sandpoint plays at Lakeland on Tuesday.

Sandpoint 300 400 1 - 8 10 0

West Valley 640 000 x - 10 9 2

Cole Tonnemacher, Jordan Hammack (3), Cory Hawkins (5) and Woody Hawkins. L - Tonnemacher. Hits: W. Hawkins 2, Cory Hawkins 2, Tonnemacher, Strickley, Olin, Cramer, Charvoz, Hammack.

n Putz goes on DL

SEATTLE - Mariners All-Star closer J.J. Putz was put on the 15-day disabled list with a ribcage injury Wednesday.

Putz, who converted 40 of 42 save opportunities last season, blew one Tuesday night by allowing a go-ahead home run to Texas' Josh Hamilton in the M's 5-4 loss to Texas. Putz felt discomfort on a pitch to the batter before Hamilton, Michael Young, and then had an MRI exam after the game. It revealed a mild inflammation where the cartilage attaches to a rib on his right side.

Seattle filled his roster spot by purchasing the contract of right-hander Roy Corcoran from Triple- Tacoma.

Putz blew his first save in his second game of the season, after saving Seattle's win Monday. He didn't blow his first save last year until July 25.

The Mariners were 75-0 last season when leading after eight innings, thanks to Putz.

Seattle will now presumably have to use a closer-by-committee until Putz returns. The primary option, hard-throwing right-hander Mark Lowe, was likely to be unavailable Wednesday because he had pitched in each of the season's first two games and is coming off two elbow operations in the last 19 months.