As the Vancouver Canadians enter the 2016 season, they have hopes of making more of an impact than they did last season
The Canadians “kicked-off” the season opener on the road playing in front of 7,000 plus fans in Spokane at Avista Stadium.
Vancouver opened the scoring in the top of the 4th inning when Deiferson Barreto (2B) hit a two-run double scoring both DH Gabe Clark and Left Fielder Jacob Anderson putting the C’s up 2-0.
The Indians managed a lone run in the bottom of the 4th but neither offense, but that was all the excitment until Spokane managed a pair of runs off C’s reliever Stuart Holmes (LHP) who couldn’t dodge the bottom of the 8th inning setting the stage for the Indians to pull out a series opening victory
Saturday
Following the quick turn-around from Friday’s game the C’s ran into a tough quintet of Spokane arms as the hometown Indians sent the C’s off the diamond and pulled off a 5-0 victory.
Sunday was a different looking C’s team as the “boy’s of summer” exploded and rebounded with a 13-hit outburst.
This outburst allowed them to head home on a positive note as they pulled out a convincing 8-1 victory in the three-game series down at Avista Stadium.
The victory keeps Vancouver in a tie for top spot in the North Division of the Northwest League.
Season Home Opener
Monday’s home opener at the “Nat” saw the C’s host Everett and as usual “sold out” as per the norm and try as they might it was a tough 10-0 loss.
The C’s started Pat Murphy who managed six (6) innings allowing one earned run in the loss.
He (Murphy) managed his first start since 2014 as he has been fighting off a series of injuries, which was costly.
The first six innings were or could have been anyone’s game with both teams playing, but the C’s came up shy of a victory falling to a 2-2 record on the early season.
The last time these same two teams met (in Vancouver) for a home opener was 2009 when the Aquasox topped the Canadians 10-1.
These two teams meet again on Tuesday, June 21st (7:05pm) with the Canadians sending RHP Luis Sanchez (0-0, 0.00) to the mound in search of the C’s third win of the season, and first at home.
Make plans to attend the first “nooner” of the season with the first pitch set for 1:05
Photo’s by D. Laird Allan Photography/Sportswave