Cardona's Three Hits, Strong Relief Spur C's To Victory
VANCOUVER, BC – A. complete team effort – highlighted by three hits from the number nine hitter Hugo Cardona and a stout showing from the bullpen – led the Vancouver Canadians to a 6-3 win in front of a sellout crowd as part of an A&W Family Fun Sunday at
VANCOUVER, BC – A. complete team effort – highlighted by three hits from the number nine hitter Hugo Cardona and a stout showing from the bullpen – led the Vancouver Canadians to a 6-3 win in front of a sellout crowd as part of an A&W Family Fun Sunday at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Eugene scored two runs (one earned) on starter Alejandro Melean in the top of the second but the C’s rallied for three in the bottom half of the frame to take the lead for good. Davis Schneider started the comeback with a lead-off single, PK Morris followed with a base hit then Garrett Spain stopped Vancouver’s scoreless drought at 19.2 innings – their longest of the year – with an RBI single into right field. After a hit by pitch loaded the baes, Cardona smacked his first hit into centerfield to tie the game. Steward Berroa followed with a sacrifice fly that scored the final run of the day off Eugene starter and #12 Giants prospect Randy Rodriguez (L, 2-3) to make it 3-2.
It was Schneider and Morris setting the table for Cardona again in the sixth. The former walked, the latter singled and after a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position the La Sabana, VZ native singled into left field to score a pair that had the C’s in front 5-2.
Eugene got to newcomer Justin Kelly (W, 1-0) for a run in the seventh on two singles and a sacrifice fly, but the right hander was otherwise excellent over three innings of relief in his High-A debut to keep the high-octane Ems offense at bay.
Vancouver snatched that run back after the stretch. Addison Barger started the inning with his team-best 15th double of the year, #6 Blue Jays prospect Leo Jimenez singled to put men at the corners and Schneider used his second single of the afternoon to score an important insurance run to give Vancouver a three-run cushion.
Ryan Boyer struck out consecutive hitters to end the top of the eighth and leave the bases loaded before Jol Concepcion (S, 2) bounced back after a lead-off walk in the ninth to get the next three hitters to secure a 6-3 triumph.
Eight of nine starters reached base and seven of nine had a hit. The fifth through nine spots in the order – Schneider, Morris, Spain, Andres Sosa and Cardona - went a combined 10-for-17 with five runs scored, five RBI, two walks and a hit by pitch. Cardona’s three hits matched a personal season high.
After an off day on Monday, the C’s are in Hillsboro Tuesday night to take on the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks) at Ron Tonkin Field. #7 Blue Jays prospect Sem Robberse gets the ball for the Canadians opposite a yet-to-be-announced starter for the Hops. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. with coverage on CanadiansBaseball.com, MiLB.TV and the Sportsnet Radio Network.