PRESS RELEASE – The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes were on the wrong end of a 4-2 score against visiting Vancouver Canadians on Monday night in front of a sold out crowd at Volcanoes Stadium.
5,426 fans came out for the game and the Volcanoes July 4th Patriotic Tribute, a number announced as the attendance record for Volcanoes Stadium. Members of the Oregon National Guard were honored before the game.
The Volcanoes were able to out-hit the Canadians during the contest with 11 hits to the Canadians’10, also drawing five walks, but couldn’t take advantage of scoring opportunities. Salem-Keizer left eight runners on base and hit into four double plays as a team.
The game was promising for the Volcanoes in the early goings, as they got two singles and two walks against Canadian’s starter Dalton Rodriguez to begin the game. Center fielder Bryan Reynolds opened the scoring with an RBI single, plating left fielder Ashford Fulmer, who led off the game with a walk.
That was all Salem-Keizer could manage in the first, as shortstop Ryan Howard hit into an inning ending double play.
Vancouver first baseman Christian Williams tied the game with a home run to lead off the fourth inning. They would take the lead an inning later on a sac fly by second baseman Cavan Biggio, scoring right fielder D.J. McKnight.
The Volcanoes pushed another run across in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game up, as Fulmer scored on a wild pitch from Rodriguez. It was Fulmer’s second run of the game, and all that the Volcanoes could muster.
The Canadians’ finished the night’s scoring in the top of the seventh with two runs off of Salem-Keizer reliever Kendry Melo.
Volcanoes starting pitcher Raffi Vizcaino threw well, allowing just two runs on four hits over the course of five innings. Designated hitter Gio Brusa led the Salem-Keizer offense, going 3-3 and a walk on the night.
Grayson Huffman got the win for Vancouver in relief, tossing two scoreless innings and allowing only two hits; he improves his record to 2-0. Melo was saddled with the loss for the Volcanoes, now with a record of 1-1. The Canadians’ Jackson Lowery got the save after striking out the side in the ninth.
These two teams will be back in action tomorrow night, July 5, for game two at Volcanoes Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.
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