Unearned Runs Prove Costly As Winning Streak Ends

EUGENE, OR – Two unearned runs doomed the Canadians in a series-opening 4-2 loss against the Eugene Emeralds (Giants) Tuesday night at PK Park.

Trailing 1-0 after Eugene scored a run on three walks and a double play ball in the second, starter Abdiel Mendoza (L, 5-1) retired the first two batters of the bottom of the fifth before a ground ball to third that should have been the third out instead turned into a two-base throwing error. After a hit by pitch, Carter Williams singled to center to score one then the throw home went wide to allow the other runner to score and make it 3-0 Emeralds.

Vancouver didn’t spoil the shutout until Miguel Hiraldo led off the eighth with this seventh homer of the year, but Eugene got to Eric Pardinho for a run on a double, a ground out and a sacrifice fly to retake a three-run advantage in the home half of the inning.

A lead-off double in the ninth from #7 Blue Jays prospect Gabby Martinez – his first in High-A in his second career game with the C’s – set the table for Hiraldo’s two-out run-scoring single later in the stanza and brought the tying run to the plate, but a strikeout ended the game and snapped Vancouver’s five-game winning streak with a 4-2 defeat.

Hiraldo and Dasan Brown paced the offense with two hits apiece. On the mound, Matt Svanson retired all four batters he faced over two innings of perfect relief.

Despite the loss, the Canadians will wake up tomorrow still alone at the top of the Northwest League standings but only in front of second-place Eugene by a half game.

Michael Dominguez climbs the slope on Wednesday night opposite Keaton Winn for the Emeralds. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. and coverage can be found on CanadiansBaseball.com and the Sportsnet Radio Network.