Canadians starter perfect

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Inclement weather didn’t ruin the day of Vancouver Canadians starter Brad Hertzler.

Hertzler tossed five perfect innings to lead Vancouver to a 1-0 rain-shortened victory over the Spokane Indians in Northwest League baseball action on Wednesday.

Hertzler retired all 15 batters he faced, striking out three, en route to his first win of the season.

The Canadians (15-14) pushed across the only run of the game in the bottom of the third inning.

Daniel Hamblin doubled off Spokane starter Ryan Tatusko (1-2) to lead off the inning. Matthew Sulentic and Walter Correa drew back-to-back one-out walks to load the bases. Hamblin scored on a groundout by Justin Frash. Tatusko induced Julio Rivera to ground out to third base to end the threat.

Tatusko pitched out of constant trouble in his three-inning stint. He allowed the first two batters of the game to reach base. But Hamblin lined into a double play and after a double and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Correa flied out to right field to end the inning.

Tatusko got out of a first-and-third two-out jam in the second inning when he struck out Joshua Horton.

Tatusko allowed four hits, struck out two and walked four on the day. Jordan Stewart pitched a scoreless fourth for the Indians (11-18).