Tirotta and Co. Cruise To 7-2 Win
VANCOUVER, BC – Riley Tirotta’s four-hit game – the first by a Canadians hitter this year – and contributions from every hitter in the lineup complemented another strong outing from the C’s pitching staff this week as Vancouver evened its series with the Eugene Emeralds (Giants) at two games apiece
VANCOUVER, BC – Riley Tirotta’s four-hit game – the first by a Canadians hitter this year – and contributions from every hitter in the lineup complemented another strong outing from the C’s pitching staff this week as Vancouver evened its series with the Eugene Emeralds (Giants) at two games apiece with a 7-2 win to celebrate a picture-perfect Fortis BC ‘Nooner at Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first on Thursday, the C’s wasted no time grabbing an early lead of their own this afternoon. Devonte Brown began the bottom of the first with a double on the ninth pitch of the at-bat and Alan Roden singled him home for a 1-0 advantage. Roden – who went to second on the throw home from the outfield – moved to third on a ground out and scored on another out to make it 2-0.
Tirotta’s first hit of the day came to start the second when he doubled off the glove of the leaping right fielder, who bobbled the ball at the base of the wall to allow him to reach third. He scored the eventual winning run when Karl Ellison’s ground out brought him in to put the Canadians ahead 3-0.
A lead-off single in the fourth was how Tirotta collected his second knock of the day, and after consecutive walks loaded the bases Vancouver threatened to break the game open. Roden cashed in with another RBI hit, this time driving in two for a 5-0 Canadians lead.
Trenton Wallace (W, 2-1) turned in another impressive outing in his third start of the year. The southpaw stranded runners at the corners in the second and left two in scoring position after surrendering a run in the fourth while retiring five of the final six batters in his five-inning outing. He finished with a season-high eight strikeouts.
Riley’s third hit came in the sixth when three consecutive one-out singles loaded the bases again, but the C’s were turned away by back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat. He came up in the seventh following a walk to Josh Kasevich after Eugene made it 5-2 in the top of the inning and doubled up the left field line to put two on for Karl Ellison, whose two-out, two-RBI single put the game away.
Devereaux Harrison and Mason Fluharty combined to get the last seven outs without allowing a hit and secured Vancouver’s 7-2 win.
All nine starters reached base, seven scored or drove in a run and seven had a hit. Roden joined Tirotta in a multi-hit effort and Ellison, Kasevich and Michael Turconi got on base two times each.
The Canadians return to action Saturday afternoon as they welcome former C’s pitcher and long-time big leaguer Tom Candiotti to the ballpark in the first installment of the Toyota Superstar Series. Gates open at noon and first pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. as #11 Blue Jays prospect Dahian Santos toes the slab opposite Eugene’s Matt Mikulski. Coverage is available on CanadiansBaseball.com, MiLB TV, Bally Live and the Sportsnet Radio Network.