C's stop Spokane in 12th; win 5-4 on Tuesday

By CJ Pentland

June 18, 2013

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, BC) The Vancouver Canadians were on the ropes after blowing a late lead, but the C's came from behind on Tuesday night to defeat the Spokane Indians 5-4 in 12 innings at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

OF Ian Parmley got things started for the C's when he led off against Indians RHP Kelvin Vasquez with a single in the bottom of the first inning. After stealing second base, he was driven in on a single by 3B Jason Leblebijian.

Vancouver extended their lead to three in the second inning when another single by Parmley scored C Michael Reeves and 2B Jorge Vega-Rosado.

Spokane could only muster four hits and one run against Vancouver starter LHP Colton Turner during his six innings of work, but they battled against the C's bullpen to tie the game at three in the eighth inning. The Indians scored two runs off of RHP Jonathan Kountis on three hits, one being an RBI triple by CF Christopher Garia.

The Indians then took over the lead in the top of the ninth when DH Janluis Castro reached second base on an error, and pinch runner Hirotoshi Onaka was brought around to score on a RBI groundout by C Marcus Greene. But the C's responded in the bottom half when pinch runner Ronnie Melendez scored on a Spokane error to send the game to extra innings.

After two scoreless extra innings, the C's finally broke through in the twelfth. After walks by OF Nico Taylor and OF Brendan Kalfus, Leblebijian ended with game with a RBI single to centre field.

With the win, Vancouver improves to 2-3 (.400) on the 2013 season, while Spokane falls to 1-4 (.200).

The rubber match of the three game series with Spokane goes tomorrow afternoon in Vancouver at 1:05 pm. RHP Eric Brown will take the mound for the C's and attempt to get them back to .500, while the Indians will counter with RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez.

Tickets to Wednesday's Power Smart 'Nooner (1:05pm) can be purchased by calling 604.872.5232 or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street.