C's drop second straight to Eugene 8-4

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, BC) - An eight-run outburst by the Eugene Emeralds in the sixth inning put the Vancouver Canadians in a hole that they couldn't get out of, as they fell 8-4 on Sunday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

The game was a pitcher's duel up until the sixth inning when the Emeralds exploded for eight runs in the top of the frame. C's reliever RHP Tim Brechbuehler started the inning and couldn't record an out, giving up six runs on four hits and one walk before being pulled in favour of LHP Scott Silverstein. He didn't fare much better, throwing a wild pitch and giving up three-run home run to SS Felipe Blanco that capped the eight run outburst.

The Canadians put a dent into the lead in the bottom half of the inning on RBI singles from C Mike Reeves and 1B L.B. Dantzler and had potential to score more, but a strikeout and a ground ball double play got Eugene out of the jam with a six-run lead.

The lead was trimmed to four in the eighth inning after Dantzler and 3B Justin Atkinson both singled and scored, but that was as close as the Canadians would get. The C's could only muster six hits on the afternoon, giving them a total of just 12 over their last two contests.

LHP Matt Dermody started on the mound for the Canadians and pitched well, but ended up with a no-decision after throwing five scoreless innings and allowing just four hits while striking out seven. RHP Jimmy Brasoban picked up the win for Eugene after allowing just two runs on one hit and three walks.

With the loss, Vancouver falls to 21-16 (.568) with one game left in the first half of the Northwest League season, while the Emeralds move to 13-24 (.351).

The finale of this five-game set against Eugene goes tomorrow evening at 7:05 pm. Tickets to tomorrow's contest can be purchased by calling 604.872.5232 or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street.