Gm 46: Canadians top Eugene 6-3 in series finale

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - Just hours after being named Northwest League All-Stars, Canadians OF Griffin Conine smacked a pair of doubles while OF Tanner Kirwer was a force on the basepaths stealing bases number 20 and 21 on the season as Vancouver topped Eugene 6-3 to maintain a share of top spot in the North Division.
The Canadians plated a pair of runs to open the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd inning with SS Vinny Capra poking a sacrifice fly out to center field scoring LF Brandon Polizzi. Vancouver's next hitter, RF Griffin Conine slammed the first of two doubles to left scoring CF Tanner Kirwer to extend the C's lead to 2-0.
Shortly after Eugene pulled to within a run, the Canadians would strike for two more runs in the bottom of the 4th inning with Eugene helping on the first one as LHP Eugenio Palma attempted a pickoff over to first base but his throw short hopped 1B Jake Slaughter allowing 3B Jesus Severino to score. LF Brandon Polizzi would collect the other RBI when his single on a 1-2 count cashed in Nick Podkul to give the C's a 4-1 cushion.
Eugene would push back and get the game to within a lone run in the top of the 6th inning when Nelson Velasquez hit his 2nd home run of the summer off Canadians reliever RHP Will McAffer but Vancouver would pull away in the home half of the 7th scoring two more insurance runs with Tanner Kirwer and Bryan Lizardo picking up an RBI each.
RHP Joey Murray was his usual self going two scoreless innings before the bullpen efforts of RHP Sean Wymer (3.0IP, 4H, 2ER, 3SO), RHP Will McAffer (1.0IP, 3H, 1ER, 1 SO), LHP Marcus Reyes (2.0IP, 1H, 0ER, 2 SO) and RHP Cobi Johnson (1.0IP, 0H, 0ER, 2 SO) combined to shut the door on Eugene's offense as Johnson secured his 6th save in six opportunities, while Wymer grabbed the win to improve to 3-2 on the season.
With the victory, Vancouver (5-3, 24-22) remains in a share of top spot in the North Division as Spokane, Everett and Tri-City also won on Tuesday night. Note: The Canadians finished the month of July with a record of 17-12 (.586) and a home record of 11-5 (.688).
Vancouver now travels to Hillsboro, Oregon to open a five-game series against the Hops (5-3, 29-17) the South Division First-Half pennant winners with the first pitch set for 7:05pm. The Canadians will send LHP Nick Allgeyer (0-0, 3.24) opposite RHP Matt Tabor (1-1, 4.42) in the series opener. This game can be heard in its entirety right here at www.canadiansbaseball.com.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball returns to historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium on Tuesday, August 14th for a six-game homestand against Tri-City (Aug 14-16) and Spokane (Aug 17-19) with tickets available by calling 604.872.5232, online at www.canadiansbaseball.com or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.
-30-