The Vancouver Canadians scored three runs in the top of the fourth and never looked back on Saturday, beating the Eugene Emeralds by a final score of 5-4.
The Emeralds (9-8) scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Eugene got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second on a Donnie Dewees RBI single. The Emeralds added another run in the third inning to take an early 2-0 lead.
Emeralds starting pitcher Andin Diaz (0-1, 2.63 ERA) pitched three scoreless innings, but ran into trouble in the fourth. Diaz walked four Canadians hitters, including a bases-loaded walk to Earl Burl III to bring the score to 3-2.
Eugene reliever John Williamson gave up two runs in the top of the seventh to cap Vancouver’s scoring at five.
After scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth, the Emeralds loaded the bases for Chicago Cubs 2015 first-round pick Ian Happ, but he struck out swinging to end the inning.
Blake Headley singled in the bottom of the ninth to start the inning for Eugene, but Vancouver closer Andrew Case got the next three batters to fly out to end the inning.
Reliever Sean Ratcliffe got the win for the Canadians, throwing 2.1 innings and giving up one hit.
The Emeralds will hit the field again on Sunday against the Canadians. First pitch is set for 5:01 p.m. at PK Park.
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt