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’s 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’s in their first win on the road and will lead the rotation again when Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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’s 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.
“He’s got a great, electric arm and he’s deserved a shot to start the season and start in the opening here,” Schneider said last week when the recruits gathered at Nat Bailey, most for the first time.
“When he’s on, he’s pretty fun to watch if he’s going with all three of his pitches and get deep into the game for us. Hopefully he’s about low 90s if he’s throwing strikes and he gets six innings in for us.”
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 Vancouver after a truncated 2011 season, one which also marked the first of the C’s three consecutive Northwest League championships, which he followed closely from the other side of the continent.
He knows how much Vancouver would relish No. 4 and he feels he “absolutely” left something on the field last time around.
The season turned out “on the field for the team, but for me personally it didn’t,” he said. “When 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.”
The Canadians home opener June 18 is sold out. Spokane plays in Vancouver June 19 and 20 before the C’s head to Hillsboro for five games.
