PASCO, WA – The Canadians clinched their fourth playoff berth in six High-A seasons with a convincing 12-6 win over the Tri-City Dust Devils (LAA) on a rainy Wednesday night at Gesa Stadium.
After a scoreless first, the C’s plated five runs in the second to take a lead they would not relinquish. Ryan Sprock singled and two walks followed to load the bases for former Dust Devil David Calabrese, who doubled home a pair of runs to start the scoring. Jean Joseph added a two-run double in the next at bat and Dameury Pena cashed in with a run-scoring single later in the frame to make it 5-0.
Dariel Ramon plated another run with a two-out double in the third before Tri-City finally got to starter Dasan Hill for a run in the bottom of that inning. The lefty went three innings, allowed one run on three hits with a walk, a hit batter and four Ks.
Five runs in the fourth put the game away. Two walks set the table for Sprock, who laced a two-bagger into centre to score two runs. Maddox Latta singled him home in the next plate appearance then Calabrese drove in two more with a single to put Vancouver in front 11-1.
The Dust Devils would get one run in the sixth and seventh then two in the eighth, but reliever Holden Wilkerson (W, 9-7) would complete four innings of relief in which he scattered five hits, three walks and a pair of Ks.
Both teams scored in the ninth and the C’s went on to win 12-6 after Franly Urena got the final six outs.
All nine starters reached base and seven had a hit. Calabrese paced the offense with four hits while Ramon, Latta and Sprock joined him in a multi-hit effort.
With playoff baseball returning to The Nat Tuesday night, the C’s have four more regular season games to go. Their series with the Dust Devils continues tomorrow night, with Troy Guthrie taking on Peyton Olejnik. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. on the C’s Baseball Network.
For tickets and more information throughout the 75th anniversary season of The Nat, visit CanadiansBaseball.com, call 604-872-5232 and follow the C’s on social via @vancanadians.