Festive Crowd Lone Highlight As C's Lose 9-1

VANCOUVER, BC – A sellout crowd on Country Night witnessed a Canadians clunker Saturday night, as the Spokane Indians (COL) took the lead in the fourth plate appearance of the game and led the rest of the way in a 9-1 defeat Saturday at The Nat.

A sacrifice fly in the top of the first started the scoring before a grand slam in the second and another four-run inning in the fourth had the Indians leading 9-0. They battered #17 Blue Jays prospect Silvano Hechavarria (L, 0-4) for nine hits – including two homers – and added four walks to stifle any chance at a comeback for the C’s.

Vancouver’s lone run scored in the fifth. Tucker Toman led off with a single, Jean Joseph doubled to put two men in scoring position and Bryce Chance – Toronto’s 10^th round pick in this year’s draft – delivered his first professional RBI with a groundout to make it 9-1.

Newcomer Reece Fields was excellent in his affiliated pro debut. The right-handed reliever entered to begin the fifth and would go on to toss five scoreless frames in which he scattered four hits (three singles and a double) and three walks while racking up five strikeouts one week after he was signed out of indy ball.

Alexis Hernandez extended his on base streak to a new C’s season high 20 consecutive games and Eric Snow has secured a hit in 10 straight.

Vancouver will aim for a series split tomorrow afternoon. #4 Blue Jays prospect Johnny King takes the ball for his second start of the week against Spokane’s Jordy Vargas as part of White Spot Family Fun Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m.

For tickets and more information throughout the 75^th anniversary season of The Nat, visit CanadiansBaseball.com, call 604-872-5232 and follow the C’s on social via @vancanadians.