Late Collapse Leads To Loss In Lid Lifter

HILLSBORO, OR – The Canadians saw their fortunes take a sharp turn for the worse Tuesday night after they surrendered six runs in the bottom of the eighth and lost to the Hillsboro Hops [AZ] 9-5.

Leading 5-3 after seven and a half, the C’s sent Grayson Thurman (L, 6-3) to the hill. The normally surefire righty had his worst outing of the year; he was roughed up for five consecutive hits – including back-to-back homers – that scored five runs to start the frame and saw the two-run lead evaporate into a three-run deficit. Hillsboro added three more hits in the inning and scored another run to go up 9-5.

Vancouver put two runners on in the ninth and had the tying run on deck, but consecutive strikeouts ended the threat and the ballgame.

It was a back-and-forth game from the jump. The Hops used a Gino Groover solo homer to start the scoring in the second then the C’s took the lead with two runs in the third. Bryce Arnold singled, Jace Bohrofen doubled, Jackson Hornung brought home a run with a hit and Peyton Williams delivered a sacrifice fly.

Hillsboro went back in front with two runs in the fourth, but that would be all starter Ryan Watson allowed. The righty went six complete, scattered six hits, allowed three runs, walked one and K’ed six for his third consecutive quality start.

He was in line for the victory after the Canadians scored three in the sixth thanks to a two-out rally. With a man at first and two away, catcher’s interference allowed the inning to continue with two aboard. Brennan Orf tripled home the go-ahead runs in the next at-bat and Arnold’s base hit brought him in to make it 5-3.

With the loss and a Spokane win, the C’s are now one game out of first and six games up on the Hops for the final playoff spot with 11 games remaining in the regular season. Vancouver will look to avenge tonight’s game tomorrow evening at 7:05 p.m.