Volcanoes fall in final game of first half

Keizer, Ore -- The Volcanoes managed just four hits as they fell to the Canadians on the final game of the first half. Although the All-Star break is not until Monday, July 31st, tomorrow's game will mark the first that counts towards the team's second half record.
Sunday's matinee featured an All-Star matchup between Volcanoes ace Stetson Woods and first round flamethrower Nate Pearson.   
In Pearson's two innings he demonstrated why the Blue Jays invested 2.4 million dollars in him, as he overpowered Volcanoes with a fastball that was clocked twice in the triple digits. Pearson also featured a power slider that sat between 85 and 87 mph as he struck out three across two scoreless frames.
While Pearson dominated with pure stuff, Woods relied on finesse and command. Woods faced the minimum through five innings for the second time this season by inducing double plays in the second and the fourth inning.
In the sixth, left fielder Deiferson Barreto smacked a triple to the right center gap and would later score on a single by centerfielder Brandon Polizzi to break the deadlock. Polizzi then stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch, setting up an RBI groundout by shortstop Kevin Vicuña, giving the Canadians a 2 to 0 lead.
After centerfielder Malique Ziegler walked to leadoff the bottom half of the inning, first baseman Ryan Kirby snuck a two run homer over the wall in right field to tie the game.
Woods' night was over after six, but not before he was able to record another quality start for the Volcanoes. Tonight's performance marked the eighth consecutive outing in which Woods has given up two runs or less. The Volcanoes ace only struck out four on the night, but was able to induce eleven groundouts.
The Canadians retook the lead in the seesaw affair in the seventh when catcher Owen Spiwak singled and came around to score on a single by Baretto.
Vancouver then busted the game wide open in the top of the ninth, adding five insurance runs as the Volcanoes cycled through three different relievers in the frame.
With the loss, Salem-Keizer finishes the first half with a 16-22 record, last in the Northwest League South Division.
The Volcanoes will look to put the first half of the season behind them tomorrow as right hander Jose Marte squares off against Canadians' southpaw Wilfri Aleton in the first game of the second half. The game will be the final of a five game set against the Vancouver Canadians and will be played at Volcano Stadium at 6:35.