Gm 60: C's drop opener to Spokane; fall 4-1 on Friday

Vancouver now has company atop North Division as Indians draw even with 16 games remaining

By Rob Fai

August 17, 2018

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - A four-run top of the 1st inning was all the Spokane Indians needed to draw even in the North Division standings as Vancouver's offense was overwhelmed by RHP Yerry Rodriguez on Friday night. The 20-year old native of Santiago, Dominican Republic allowed just four hits over his seven innings of work as the Canadians have now dropped three of their past four.
Canadians starter RHP Jose Espada had his worst start as a professional going just one inning allowing four runs, all earned throwing 38 pitches to nine hitters. The Vancouver bullpen by contrast put together their best effort of the 2018 season going eight scoreless innings to keep the offense within reach as RHP Justin Watts (3.0IP), RHP Will McAffer (2.0IP), RHP Denis Diaz (1.0IP), LHP Marcus Reyes (1.0IP) and RHP Orlando Pascual (1.0IP) combined for the bullpen shutout.
The C's managed their only run on the night in the top of the 8th inning when CF Tanner Kirwer hit his 4th home run of the season off Indians reliever RHP Reggie Meyer before RHP Sean Chandler came in to pitch a scoreless 9th inning to secure the victory and grab his 3rd save of the season.
With the loss, Vancouver 13-9 (.591) moves into a tie alongside Spokane in the North Division with just 16 regular season games remaining while Tri-City moves to within just four game after topping Everett on Friday night down at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, Washington.
Vancouver plays game two of this three-game series on Saturday, August 18th at 7:05pm as RHP Randy Pondler gets the ball for the Canadians in hopes of regaining sole possession of top spot in the North. The game was announced as Sold Out but can be heard live and in its entirety at www.canadiansbaseball.com and on TSN1040 Sports Radio starting at 7pm.
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