C's power way back to .500 with 8-3 victory over Spokane

By CJ Pentland / Rob Fai

June 19, 2013

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, BC) - The Vancouver Canadians pounded out a season-high 12 hits en route to a second straight victory over Spokane on Wednesday afternoon. The C's topped the Indians 8-3 out at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium to improve to 3-3 (.500) on the young Northwest League season.

Vancouver opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2^nd inning plating three runs that included a two-run single from LF Ronnie Melendez that cashed in both C Matt Hitt and 2B Jorge Vega-Rosado to give the Canadians an early 3-0 lead.

For the second straight game, Canadians starter RHP Eric Brown was impressive going 6 2/3 innings allowing just a lone run in the top of the 4^th inning when Indians 1B Cam Schiller doubled and later came around to score on a pair of ground outs to cut the lead to 3-1.

Vancouver's offense pounced on four Spokane errors on the day which included a gaff in the bottom of the 6^th inning shortly after Surrey, B.C. native 1B Justin Atkinson singled. He would come around to count as part of a two-run inning on a throwing error, and right behind him, RF Brendan Kalfus would come around on a wild pitch to extend the Canadians lead to 5-1.

Spokane threatened in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases off of RHP Alvido Jimenez, but RHP Matt Johnson limited the damage by giving up only one run in the frame. Vancouver then added three runs in the eighth - two coming via a hard hit double off the bat of SS Dickie Thon.

Canadians RHP Justin James would come in to close out the game in the top of the 9^th inning.

The Wednesday afternoon victory brings the Canadians back to the .500 mark at 3-3 through six NWL games while Spokane falls to 1-5 (.167). The Canadians now embark on an eight-game road trip that kicks off on Thursday night in Salem-Keizer. They'll play a five-game series there before moving on to Spokane for a three-game series. On June 28, the Canadians return to Vancouver for a six-game home stand that sees them host both the Tri-City Dust Devils (June 28-30)and Everett AquaSox (July 1-3).

Tickets to Vancouver Canadians Baseball can be purchased by calling 604.872.5232, or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street.