Bullpen falters in Canadians' loss

Spencer Horwitz had a double and two walks for the Vancouver Canadians on Wednesday. Photo: Vancouver Canadians/Twitter

July 7, 2021

Official Vancouver Canadians News Release

Hillsboro, OR – A two-run lead fizzled and the bullpen faltered late Wednesday night as the Vancouver Canadians fell to the Spokane Indians (Rockies) 3-2 at Ron Tonkin Field.

Tied 2-2 to start the eighth, reliever Brandon Eisert (L, 4-1) struck out the first two batters of the inning before Chris Navarro doubled to the right field corner. Isaac Collins followed with a two-bagger of his own to plate Navarro and put the Indians ahead 3-2. The last six Canadians batters went quietly as the series evened up at one win apiece.

Vancouver started the scoring with a run in the first. Tanner Morris singled to centre, made it to second on a wild pitch and scored when Ryan Gold laced a two-out base hit to right field that made it 1-0.

The C’s doubled their advantage with a run in the third and did so without a base hit. Rafael Lantigua walked, went to second on a balk, stole third and scored on a Morris ground out. Sebastian Espino followed with a walk and a stolen base but was stranded at third after consecutive ground balls ended the threat.

Spokane tied it with two in the fourth against starter Luis Quinones, though the right-hander put together a solid showing in which he went four and two-thirds innings, scattered five hits, surrendered those two fourth inning runs, walked four and struck out eight but did not factor into the decision.

A key moment in the game came in the bottom of the seventh. After Spencer Horwitz led off the stanza with a double and went to third on a ground out, Lantigua lifted a fly ball deep to centre field that seemed destined for extra bases. Centre fielder Niko Decolati made a leaping, over-the-shoulder grab with his back to the infield to rob Lantigua of an RBI and keep the game tied 2-2.

The Canadians managed just three hits in the game, their second-lowest offensive showing of the year. Horwitz led the way by reaching base three times with two walks – he leads the league with 42 free passes – and his 11th double of the year.

Cobi Johnson worked an inning and a third of scoreless relief as the only pitcher to not allow a run for Vancouver.

Game three of the series is set for Thursday at 7:05 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Sportsnet. Right-hander Paxton Schultz (3-0, 4.01 ERA) gets the nod for the C’s while the Tribe sends No. 8 Rockies prospect Chris McMahon (5-2, 4.58 ERA) to the hill.