Vancouver opens series with 5-3 win over 'Sox

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - Canadians OF Brandon Polizzi hit his 1^st professional home run while LHP Wilfri Aleton put forth his best start of the season to help pace Vancouver to a series opening 5-3 victory over the Everett Aquasox on Sunday afternoon out at historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. The win kept Vancouver (15-10) in a tie for top spot in the North Division alongside Tri-City who topped Spokane 5-3 down in Pasco, WA.
Polizzi's home run came in the bottom of the 2^nd inning helping the Canadians build up a 2-0 lead as the Cal State Dominguez Hills standout took Everett starter RHP Andres Torres onto the "hey y'all!" Porch.
Everett would draw even in the top of the 6^th inning before Vancouver struck for three in the home half with CF Reggie Pruitt finding a two-run base hit off of Aquasox reliever LHP David Hesslink that scored both 2B Mattingly Romanin (reached on error) and RF Brandon Polizzi (walk) to give the Canadians a 5-2 lead. A lone run from Everett in the top of the 9^th off of RHP Orlando Pascual made the final 5-3. RHP Wilfri Aleton didn't figure in the victory going five innings allowing just four hits, no runs and striking out a season-high six batters. The win went to RHP Donnie Sellers (2-1) after three innings allowing a pair of earned runs, striking out four. RHP Orlando Pascual recorded his 4^th save of the season.
With the win, Vancouver (36-27; 15-10) maintains a share of top spot in the North Division alongside Tri-City (35-28; 15-10) who topped Spokane down at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, WA on Sunday night.
Game two of the three-game series is set for Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium on Monday, August 21^st at 7:05pm as RHP Jose Espada (0-2, 6.00) meets Everett RHP Anjul Hernandez (2-2, 7.61) with tickets available at www.canadiansbaseball.com.
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