Palmegiani Slam Powers Another Comeback Win

VANCOUVER, BC – A grand slam from Surrey, BC native Damiano Palmegiani broke a 2-2 tie and capped a six-run sixth in a 10-4 Canadians win over the Tri-City Dust Devils (Angels) in front of a sellout crowd Friday afternoon as part of a Fortis BC ‘Nooner at The Nat.

The big blow was part of an offensive torrent that only came after Dust Devils starter Nick Mondak was removed from the game following five perfect innings that helped Tri-City build a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second. With reliever Nathan Burns (L, 0-2) on the hill to start the bottom of the sixth, Garrett Spain ended perfection, ruined the no-hitter and spoiled the shutout with one swing. The former Austin Peay State Governor clubbed his sixth homer of the year on the fifth pitch of the inning to make it 2-1 C’s before Hugo Cardona singled and consecutive walks loaded the bases. Andres Sosa – who won game one yesterday with a walk-off double – tied the game with a single to right field to bring Palmegiani to the plate, who promptly parked one into the Nutrl Zone to send the packed house into a frenzy and give the Canadians a 6-2 lead.

Tri-City got a two-run homer from Osmy Gregorio in the eighth to bring themselves within two and managed to put the tying runs on base, but Juan Nunez (S, 1) came on and struck out the would-be go-ahead tally to keep it 6-4 Vancouver.

Four big insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth put the game away. #5 Blue Jays prospect Leo Jimenez singled sharply to start the frame then Sosa worked a walk before Riley Tirotta did the same to load ‘em up. PK Morris cracked a double over the centerfielder to score two and Glenn Santiago brought in two more with a single to put the C’s in front 10-4.

Juan Nunez got the final three outs to secure Vancouver’s third consecutive win and a guaranteed series split.

Sem Robberse - the #6 Blue Jays prospect - made his 16th start of the year and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with one walk and a season-high eight strikeouts over five innings. Sean Wymer (W, 4-1) worked a perfect sixth before Eric Pardinho – once touted as one of the best arms in the Blue Jays system before injuries hampered his prospect stock – made his High-A debut with an inning and two thirds of relief, including a 1-2-3 seventh.

On offense, all nine starters reached base, eight scored a run, seven had a hit and five delivered an RBI. Vancouver left just one man on base for the first time this year and went four for five with runners in scoring position.

With the win, the C’s have moved into a tie for first place with Eugene (Giants) at 21-12 and will take sole possession of the top spot if the Emeralds fall in Spokane this evening. They have also built their advantage in the overall standings by improving to 51-45. They will aim for a series win tomorrow night with a postgame fireworks extravaganza to follow. Lefty Trenton Wallace goes for the C’s opposite Tri-City southpaw Brent Killam. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with coverage on CanadiansBaseball.com, MiLB.TV and the Sportsnet Radio Network.