C's close in on North Division pennant with 5-3 win over Spokane

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - Canadians C Riley Adams continued his torrid offensive pace hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the 1^st inning, but it was CF Reggie Pruitt who stole the show with a defensive catch for the ages to help inspire Vancouver to a 5-3 victory on Thursday night, snapping a four-game losing streak in the process.
The Canadians came out flying in the home half of the 1^st inning with Adams crushing a home run onto the "hey y'all!" Porch, his 2^nd home run of the season that scored both 2B Cullen Large (walk) and SS Logan Warmoth (single) to give Vancouver an early 3-0 lead.
Vancouver would extend the lead to five an inning later as LF Brandon Polizzi singled to center and later scored on a balk from Spokane starter RHP Alex Speas, while CF Reggie Pruitt doubled (advanced to third on balk) and came into count on a sac fly from 2B Cullen Large to extend the margin to 5-0.
The Indians would make a game of it in the top of the 3^rd when Tyler Ratliff doubled home CF Miguel Aparicio (single) and 1B Andretty Cordero hit a towering home run off the "hey y'all!" Porch to cut the Canadians lead to 5-3. That would be the last cleat to touch home plate on the night as pitching for both teams took centre stage the rest of the way.
RHP Donnie Sellers got the start for Vancouver going 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs, striking out five. RHP Chris Hall gave up a first pitch home run to Cordero but after that was fantastic going 4 1/3 innings allowing just the one hit while striking out four. LHP Jake Fishman pitched a scoreless 8^th inning and RHP William Ouellette earned his 3^rd save of the season with a hitless 9^th inning to secure the Canadians 17^th victory of the 1^st half and moving them three games clear of Tri-City who fell at home to Everett out at Gesa Stadium.
Vancouver (17-11) wraps up this three-game series with the Indians (11-17) on Friday, July 14^th at 1:05pm in hopes of closing in the North Division pennant as the victory on Thursday secured the potential tie-breaker with Tri-City should they finish with identical first half records. The first half has ten games remaining.
Tickets to Vancouver Canadians Baseball can be purchased by calling 604.872.5232, on-line at www.canadiansbaseball.com or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.
Note: The Canadians announced that Sunday, July 16^th vs. Hillsboro Hops is now SOLD OUT.
-30-