Tirotta Blast Sparks Comeback In Record-Setting Win

SPOKANE, WA – A two-run homer from Riley Tirotta that highlighted a three-run fourth inning on Friday night spurred the Canadians on to a 7-2 win over the Spokane Indians (Rockies) at Avista Stadium to run their winning streak to nine consecutive games, their longest since becoming a Blue Jays affiliate before the 2011 season.

Trailing 2-1 to start the fourth, the C’s got a lead-off single from Miguel Hiraldo on the first pitch of the frame to put the tying run on base. Up stepped Tirotta, who bashed a 3-2 pitch from Anderson Pilar (L, 3-2) over the left field wall to stun the sellout crowd and give Vancouver the lead for good.

The offense wasn’t done. Garrett Spain followed with a ringing double, stole third and scored on a Harry Ray groundout to make it 4-2 Canadians.

Meanwhile, the C’s pitching staff continued their recent stretch of success. Lefty Trenton Wallace made his second career High-A start and went three and two-thirds innings in which he allowed two runs on two hits, walked three and struck out a Northwest League personal-best six batters before passing the baton to Garrett Farmer (W, 4-0) with two outs in the fourth. Farmer went on to scatter four singles over three and a third scoreless stanzas with no walks and three strikeouts.

Damiano Palmegiani hit his second homer in as many games in the top of the seventh, a two-run blast that made it a four-run Vancouver lead before Steward Berroa – who walked a C’s single-game season-high four times – stole home with two outs in the eighth for a welcomed insurance run that put the game out of slam range.

Juan Nunez and Jol Concepcion each worked a scoreless inning between the eighth and ninth to secure the record-setting victory.

All nine starters contributed a hit, run or RBI, eight reached base and seven had a hit, paced by two knocks apiece from Hiraldo, Tirotta, Anthony Morales, newcomer Dasan Brown – the #27 Blue Jays prospect who made his High-A debut tonight – and #6 prospect Leo Jimenez. Berroa’s three steals give him 36 with the C’s this year, the second-most in the circuit.

The Canadians – who are now the hottest team in full season affiliated baseball after the Seattle Mariners lost tonight – will look to make it ten consecutive wins tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. when they send southpaw Jimmy Robbins to the hill against Spokane’s Mike Ruff. Coverage from Avista Stadium will be available on CanadiansBaseball.com and the Sportsnet Radio Network.