Canadians Win a Close One

The Vancouver Canadians beat the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes by a score of three to two. This loss for the Volcanoes puts an end to their 11 game winning streak. It was also only the Volcanoes’ sixth loss at home this year. The Volcanoes had chances to tie it late in the game but were unable to come up with a clutch hit. In the eighth inning the Volcanoes had runners on first and second with one out, but Chad Rothford and Garret Baker both struck out. Again in the ninth, the Volcanoes had runners in scoring position again but Jose Flores grounded out to the shortstop to end the game.
The Canadians pitching staff had an impressive night, holding the best-hitting team in the Northwest League to only eight hits. Scott Hodsdon of the Canadians went five solid innings, giving up two runs on six hits. Brent Lysander provided two shutout innings of relief. Justin Friend followed suit, going two more clutch, shutout innings to earn the save, his first of the year. Center fielder Corey Brown of the Canadians lead the charge on offense, going two for three with a double and two runs batted in. Third baseman Justin Frash also had two hits for the Canadians.
One bright spot for the Volcanoes was the monstrous homerun hit to right field by Chad Rothford in the second inning. Rothford went two for four with a run and one run batted in. Matt Downs continues to stay hot, going two for four with a double. Craig Clark started for the Volcanoes, giving up three earned runs in four innings. However, Ryan McGrath and Steve Edlefsen combined to throw five shutout innings of relief.
This was the opening game of this series between the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and Vancouver Canadians. The Volcanoes will host two more games against the Canadians. Comment at the link below.