Canadians playoff hopes fade with 3-2 loss to Spokane

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, BC) -The Vancouver Canadians let a late lead slip away and fell 3-2 to the Spokane Indians on Saturday night at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, moving four games back of first place in the second half North Division standings with eight games to play.

The game remained scoreless over the first four innings, with RHP Tom Robson of the C's and RHP Kelvin Vasquez of the Indians engaging in a pitcher's duel until Robson was ejected from the game in the 5th inning. It didn't take Spokane long to take advantage of him being out of the contest, as 1B Barrett Serrato came home on a double steal with LHP Matt Dermody on the mound.

The Canadians stranded a runner on third base in the fifth and sixth inning, but they were able to come through with a clutch hit in the seventh to take the lead. With runners on second and third with none out, RHP Keone Kela struck out the next two batters, but CF Chaz Frank delivered a single with two outs to bring home LF Brenden Kalfus and SS Dewal Lugo and give Vancouver a 2-1 lead.

Spokane responded right away, as they took advantage of an error (Lugo) and two walks to score an unearned run and tie it up at two in the eighth. After LF Jamie Jarmon reached on an error by Lugo to lead off the frame, a bunt single and an intentional walk loaded the bases. C Marcus Greene then drew a bases-loaded walk off of RHP Garrett Pickens, bringing Jarmon home.

A bunt single by SS Gabriel Roa gave Spokane the lead in the ninth, as he caught the C's defence off guard and brought CF Ryan Cordell home from third. RHP Justin Sprenger came in to pitch the ninth, picking up the save and closing out the victory.

With the loss, Vancouver falls to 12-18 (.400) in the second half of the 2013 Northwest League season and 34-34 (.500) overall, while Spokane moves to 15-15 (.500) and 35-33 (.515). Spokane also moves one game ahead of Vancouver in the overall standings.

Game two of this three-game series is an A&W Family Fun Sunday that goes tomorrow at 1:05pm. There are only five home games left in the regular season, and tickets to those contests can be purchased by calling 604.872.5232 or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street.