The Canadians launched their 2014 campaign by wiping out the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes by a combined 20-4 to win the first three games of their five-game opening road series in Oregon.
The C鈥檚 registered 29 hits to go 3-0 and reach the top of the young Northwest League season tied for first with Spokane.
Alberto Tirado started for the C鈥檚 in their first win on the road and will lead the rotation again when 麻豆传媒映画debuts at Nat Bailey on June 18. He pitched four innings, allowing two hits and two runs, neither earned.
Tirado, a 19-year right-hand pitcher form the Dominican, was pegged as a promising Blue Jays prospect but is trying to regain consistent control of his arm. He comes to 麻豆传媒映画after a season in Lansing where he went 1-2 and in 40 innings, had 40 strike outs but allowed 45 hits and 30 runs for a 6.30 ERA.
C鈥檚 manager John Schneider said Tirado has a lot to show off, including a fastball that tops out at 96 mph and the added combination of a slider and change-up.
鈥淗e鈥檚 got a great, electric arm and he鈥檚 deserved a shot to start the season and start in the opening here,鈥� Schneider said last week when the recruits gathered at Nat Bailey, most for the first time.
鈥淲hen he鈥檚 on, he鈥檚 pretty fun to watch if he鈥檚 going with all three of his pitches and get deep into the game for us. Hopefully he鈥檚 about low 90s if he鈥檚 throwing strikes and he gets six innings in for us.鈥�
On Monday for their fourth of the five-game against Salem-Keizer, the Canadians lost 10-9 and on Tuesday lost again, letting go of a three-run lead in the seventh inning to fall 4-3.
Vancouver's 3-2 record puts in second them behind undefeated Spokane (4-0) in the North Division of the Northwest League.
Schneider returns to 麻豆传媒映画after a truncated 2011 season, one which also marked the first of the C鈥檚 three consecutive Northwest League championships, which he followed closely from the other side of the continent.
He knows how much 麻豆传媒映画would relish No. 4 and he feels he 鈥渁bsolutely鈥� left something on the field last time around.
The season turned out 鈥渙n the field for the team, but for me personally it didn鈥檛,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I think of Vancouver, I think of the ball park, good things and the crowd and the at. I definitely want to see it through with the same result this year.鈥�
The Canadians home opener June 18 is sold out. Spokane plays in 麻豆传媒映画June 19 and 20 before the C鈥檚 head to Hillsboro for five games.
