Canadians Clinch Second Half Pennant; Top Yakima 3-1
September 1, 2012 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Vancouver Canadians News Release
(County Stadium - Yakima, WA) - A hard hit single from Canadians 1B Balbino Fuenmayor that scored 3B Kellen Sweeney in the top of the 6th inning proved to be the hit that sent Vancouver into the Northwest League Playoffs as the C's topped Yakima 3-1 on Friday night. Combined with Eugene's 3-1 at home to Spokane and the Canadians will host Everett in Game One of the NWL Playoffs at Scotiabank Field on Monday, September 3rd at 1:05pm.
Vancouver opened the scoring in the top of the 4th inning when 2B Christian Lopes hit a two-out triple off of Yakima starter RHP Jose Martinez that scored 1B Balbino Fuenmayor (hit by pitch) that gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead.
Yakima would even the game up in the bottom of the 5th inning when SS Josh Lang singled up the middle bringing home LF Michael Lang (single). It would be the only run Canadians RHP Javier Avendano would give up over his five innings of work. The Northwest League All-Star would allow two hits and strike out four to bring his ERA on the season to a miniscule 1.27 over his 14 starts in Vancouver.
The Canadians would regain the lead for good in the top of the 6th inning when 3B Kellen Sweeney singled off of Martinez to lead off the frame before advancing all the way over to third base on a pair of wild pitches before scoring on a single from 1B Balbino Fuenmayor helping Vancouver to a 2-1 lead.
A big insurance run came in the top of the 8th inning for Vancouver when CF D.J. Davis would manage his first base hit in a Canadians and score shortly after on a sacrifice fly from 1B Balbino Fuenmayor.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Canadians closer RHP Arik Sikula retired 1B Jacob House, 3B Mark Ginther and C Steven Rodriguez in order to convert his 10th save in as many opportunities to lock down the Canadians 45th win of the season and secure a spot in the 2012 Northwest League Playoffs.
Northwest League Stories from September 1, 2012
- Hawks Team up for CenturyLink High Speed Teacher of the Year Campaign - Boise Hawks
- Canadians Clinch Second Half Pennant; Top Yakima 3-1 - Vancouver Canadians
- Aquasox rally for 6-4 victory - Boise Hawks
- Canadians take series and secure playoff spot - Yakima Bears
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