Opportunistic Spokane Indians roll past Vancouver to open road series

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Two prime examples showed why Friday wasn’t going to be the Vancouver Canadians’ night.

First, the Canadians were hitless until Luis De Los Santos’ one-out single in the sixth inning.

Second, Vancouver fell behind the Spokane Indians 6-0 in the fourth inning despite allowing nothing more momentous than an RBI single near the pitching mound.

Starter Ricky Vanasco threw 4 2/3 no-hit innings and the Indians scored twice on balks to roll past Vancouver 8-2 to open a three-game Northwest League series at Nat Bailey Stadium.

North Division-leading Spokane (10-5) snapped a three-game losing streak while handing the Canadians (3-12) their seventh consecutive setback.

Spokane improved to 6-2 on the road this season, including 3-1 in Vancouver.

The Indians also scored on a wild pitch, groundout and sacrifice fly while building their 6-0 advantage.

Luis Asuncion added a two-run homer in the seventh inning to give Spokane an 8-2 lead.

Asuncion’s other homer this season came during the season-opening win at Vancouver.

Daniel Robert and Scott Williams closed out the Canadians by working the final three innings, striking out five and walking none.