Gm 73: C's fall 9-3 to Everett; off to Spokane for key series

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium - Vancouver, B.C.) - Everett scored seven runs over its first three innings off Canadians pitching to cruise past Vancouver 9-3 in the rubber match of a three-game series out at Scotiabank Field on Friday afternoon. The loss for Vancouver puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy as with a win later tonight, Spokane could move into a tie for top spot alongside the Canadians with just three games to go.
RHP Randy Pondler (5-5) was erratic over his 1 2/3 innings of work Everett struck for four runs off the red-hot right-hander who had won his previous five outings dating back to July 22nd. Pondler didn't get any help defensively as 2B Nick Podkul continues to fight the baseball with a key error that led to a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd inning.  
Five Canadians pitchers were used on Friday with both RHP Joey Pulido (2.0IP, 1H, 0ER, 2BB, 1SO) and RHP Will McAffer (2.0IP, 1H, 0ER, 0BB, 2SO) holding the fort as Vancouver struck for three runs late as 3B Otto Lopez (1-for-4), DH McGregory Contreras (1-for-3) and SS Jesus Severino (2-for-4) managed RBI base hits in the lopsided loss.
All eyes early on were on Seattle Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma who tossed a pair of scoreless innings striking out two without allowing a hit. Iwakuma offered up 20 pitches, 12 for strikes and got Canadians C Yorman Rodriguez to line into an inning ending double play to end his visit to Vancouver after just two innings. RHP Cody Brown (2-4) went five scoreless innings in relief to secure his second victory of the season.
With the loss, Vancouver falls to 20-15 (.571) on the second half, and now have a 1/2 game lead on Spokane who plays the rubber match of a three-game series out at Gesa Stadium with the first pitch scheduled for 7:15pm.
Vancouver now travels to Spokane, washington to meet the Indians back at Avista Stadium for what sets up to be the series that will determine who will meet the Everett Aquasox in the North Division Playoffs set to begin on Wednesday, September 5th out at Memorial Stadium.
Vancouver will send RHP Josh Winckowski (4-4, 2.43), LHP Elio Silva (3-3, 3.69) and RHP Sean Wymer (4-3, 5.01) to the mound in this crucial three-game series for the defending Northwest League Champions.
Should Vancouver advance to the 2018 Northwest League Post-Season, presented by Scotiabank, tickets are currently available for Game 2 and 3 set for Thursday, September 6th and Friday, September 7th 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-