Two words describe why there were no post-game reports from Spokane: Slow. Internet.  My goodness, it was terrible.  Loading a single web page took as long as 5 minutes, before I gave up hope.  

So you get a batch of 4 post-game reports today.  Lucky readers. :)

Game 1 we missed, but I posted the report from Rob Fai for that game, but Game 2 saw RHP Shawn Haviland (top left) pitch against Spokane’s 18-year old phenom Wilfredo Boscan.  Actually Boscan was scheduled to start, but relieved Neil Ramirez who lasted two innings throwing a no-hitter before Boscan got the call.

On the Spokane pitching front, Boscan picked up his 7th win of the year, and lowered his ERA to 2.23, giving up just three hits in 5 innings, striking out 5.

The 8th inning was also scoreless, by another reliever, and I’ll get to the 9th in a second.

Shawn Haviland lasted 3 and two-thirds as the Canadians starter, and gave up a pair of hits, one earned run, and 4 walks.   His ERA now stands at 2.45.  Ryne Tacker relieved him and had a rough time, giving up 5 hits and three earned runs in just one-and-a-third innings on the hill.

Edgar Tejeda gave up two earned runs in 0.2 innings, before Kenny Smalley took over, giving up just a hit and a pair of walks.

Then, Fabian Gomez didn’t have his beset stuff, and gave up two earned runs in the 8th.

Matt West, Spokane’s 3rd baseman, who was hit by Hector Garcia the night before creating a bench-clearing non-physical altercation, was 2-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, 3 RBI and a walk.  Eric Fry had a similiar night, bringing his average to .338.  He was 2-3 with a double, a pair of runs and a pair of walks.

Vancouver had two stars, in Julio Rivera, and Jareck West.  West knocked his first home-run of the year out of the park, for a grand slam in the 9th inning, but the comeback was still short, as the C’s fell 8-5 to the Indians.  Cliff Springston was the Indians pitcher go gave up the ’slam, but still managed to pick up the last two outs of the game.

So it wasn’t a great effort, but the C’s managed 5 runs in the 9th, so at least the Indians didn’t shut them out.

Game 3:

This game was interrupted for more than an hour due to a lightning storm in the area, but the C’s pulled out a win, scoring the winning run in the 9th inning after 4 innings of scoreless baseball.  The game was 2-0 after the first, and then 3-0 after one and a half, after Jareck West smacked his second consecutive home-run.  Spokane scored one run in each of the next three innings, leaving the score at 3-3 at the lightning delay. 

The C’s top performers on the night were West, who was 1-3 with the solo dinger, Dusty Napoleon who was 2-3 with a pair of doubles and RBI, and Jeremy Barfield (left), who had a double and a run scored.

David Paisano, Spokane’s CF was 3-5 on the night, but couldn’t manage an RBI or run scored.

Francisco Tirado wasn’t too hot defensively, committing two errors.

The C’s pitching was hot, with starter Ronny Morla going 4 innings giving up six hits, three runs (two earned) and striking out 5.

Ben Hornbeck was very good relieving, giving up just two hits in 1.1 innings, while Edgar Tejeda and Hector Garcia both pitched no-hit stuff in the next 2.2 innings.

Jose Guzman picked up his 10th save with a scoreless 9th.  C’s won 4-3.

Game 4:

Vancouver really didn’t play well until the 7th inning, nor did the pitching, who gave up three dingers, two of which were to Jared Bolden of the Indians.

Jeremy Barfield did well, going 0-1 with three walks and two runs scored.  Rodney Rutherford was the reason Vancouver scored three times in the 7th, starting a come-from-behind victory.  Jareck West was also 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI.

Here’s what happened in the 9th.  Vancouver was down 6-3, and a pair of walks opened the inning.  A strikeout gave the Indians one out, but Dante Love singled to load the bases.  Rodney Rutherford walked in a run, before a new pitcher, Justin Gutsie gave up a two-run double to Jareck West.  A wild pitch on - get this - a intentional walk scored Rodney Rutherford, to give Vancouver the lead.   

On the hill, Pedro Figueroa went 5 strong, giving up 5 hits, 4 runs (3 earned) and striking out 6, while giving up a pair of home-runs.

Matt Fitts was good in relief, giving up two runs, before Dan Thomas pitched no-hit stuff for the 8th and 9th, securing the victory, his first as a professional.

Game 5:

The C’s opened the game with a bang, with homers from both Leo Gil (his 1st) and Jeremy Barfield (#2).  Gil finished the night 2-4 with two RBI, the homer and a double, with two runs scored, while Barfield was 2-4 with a home-run, 2 RBI and a run.  Rodney Rutherford also had a good game, going 1-5 with a double and 2 RBI.

Needless to say, Vancouver won 7-2, thanks to a stellar pitching performance from ‘Iron’ Mike Hart.  Hart went 4 innings, giving up just two hits, and a walk, striking out EIGHT.  His ERA is a team-best 1.08. 

Kenny Smalley picked up the victory pitching two no-hit innings, before Ryne Tacker had a mediocre performance.  Tacker pitched to just three batters, walking the first two, before throwing a wild pitch, and another pitch in the dirt before getting the heave-ho from Rick Magnante.  Tacker just didn’t have his best stuff, and the dirt was his enemy Sunday night.

Hector Garcia went two strong innings, before closer Jose Guzman, in a non-close situation, gave up a home-run, but still secured the win in the 9th inning.

C’s won the series 3-2.

See my next post, either later tonight, or tomorrow morning, about the whole experience in Spokane, aside from the baseball.  But I can say, it was an awesome time.