C's show well despite Pioneer League victory at 2018 All-Star Game

(Suplizio Field - Grand Junction, CO) - The first five hitters of the 2018 Northwest League vs. Pioneer League All-Star Game all reached base on a collection of singles, doubles and a three-run home run from Salem-Keizer's C Joey Bart and before you could put the mustard on your hot dog another Mid Summer Classic was taking shape as the night ended with (insert deep breath here) 23 runs, 32 hits, 11 defensive changes and 21 pitching changes out at Suplizio Field, home to the Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League.
Vancouver's OF Tanner Kirwer went 1-for-4 (.250) with a double and a run scored as the native of Sherwood Park, AB managed an extra base hit off Pioneer League reliever RHP Jose Chacin before stealing third which ended up being the only base stolen by the NWL on Tuesday afternoon.
OF Griffin Conine was a mid-game replacement for Hillsboro Hops slugger Andy Yerzy and put together a 1-for-2 (.500) day at the plate connecting on a double in the top of the 6th inning off Great Falls Voyagers RHP Mike McCormick. Conine would eventually advance to third on a ground out and scored on a passed ball to give the Northwest League a 10-9 lead. That would end up being the last run that the NWL would score as the Pioneer League struck for four runs late to pull away with the 13-10 victory that was capped off by a two home run performance from Grand Junction Rockies MVP Coco Montes who put on a show in front of his home town crowd finishing 2-for-3 (.667) with two homers and six RBI.
Canadians RHP Cobi Johnson pitched the bottom of the 2nd inning allowed a pair of runs on two hits in his first professional All-Star Game. Johnson was the only NWL pitcher to retire Montes getting the game's MVP to ground out.
The Northwest League was managed by the Vancouver Canadians staff including Dallas McPherson, Aaron Mathews, Jim Czajkowski and Jose Mayorga who got every player into the game which is pretty much the key to these types of events.
Earlier in the day, Canadians OF Griffin Conine hit four (4) home runs as part of the 2018 NWL vs. PIO Home Run Derby that was eventually won by Spokane Indians slugger Curtis Terry who hit 11 to claim the title.
The Northwest League will have an off-day on Wednesday as all players reconnect with their respective teams before resuming a full league schedule on Thursday, August 9th with the Canadians (8-5, .615) heading to Salem-Keizer to open up a five-game series with the South Division leading Volcanoes. First pitch on Thursday is set for 6:35pm with all five games available at www.canadiansbaseball.com.
Vancouver Canadians Baseball returns to historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium on Tuesday, August 14th at 7:05pm to open a six-game homestand that included series against North Division rivals Tri-City (August 14-16) and Spokane (August 17-19) with tickets currently available at www.canadiansbaseball.com, by calling 604.872.5232 or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.
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