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Spokane Indians

Spokane Indians fall to Vancouver, eliminated from NWL playoffs

VANCOUVER. September 07 2017. Spokane Indians #19 starting pitcher Cole Ragans pitches to Vancouver Canadians in game 2 of the single-A baseball Northwest League North Division finals at Nat Bailey stadium, Vancouver, September 07 2017. Sept 2-4. Gerry Kahrmann / PNG staff photo) ( Prov / Sun News ) 00050514A Story by Steve Ewen (Gerry Kahrmann / PNG)
VANCOUVER. September 07 2017. Spokane Indians #19 starting pitcher Cole Ragans pitches to Vancouver Canadians in game 2 of the single-A baseball Northwest League North Division finals at Nat Bailey stadium, Vancouver, September 07 2017. Sept 2-4. Gerry Kahrmann / PNG staff photo) ( Prov / Sun News ) 00050514A Story by Steve Ewen (Gerry Kahrmann / PNG)
From staff reports

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Brock Lundquist went 2 for 4, including a homer in the fourth inning, to lift the Vancouver Canadians to a 2-1 win over the Spokane Indians in the second game of the North Division first-round series, ending the Indians’ run in the Northwest League postseason.

The Canadians hosted the entire best-of-three series at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver this week after Game 1, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday at Avista Stadium, was postponed and moved from Spokane because of poor air quality in the area.

Vancouver will travel to PK Park in Eugene next to take on the Eugene Emeralds – who won the South Division on Thursday after eliminating the Hillsboro Hops 10-4 – in the best-of-five championship series.

The Indians fell behind quickly, giving up a run in the first inning. With two outs, Indians starting pitcher Cole Ragans walked two and then gave up an RBI single to Vancouver’s Riley Adams, lifting the Canadians a 1-0 lead.

Lundquist’s homer against Ragans in the fourth extended Vancouver’s lead to 2-0.

The Indians fought back in the following inning with a pair of singles to pull within a run of the Canadians. Pedro Gonzalez led the fifth with a single grounder to second base. Gonzalez then stole second and Kole Enright followed with a single to right field, driving in Gonzalez for Spokane’s lone score.

The Indians attempted one more rally in the ninth, beginning with a single to center field by Matt Whatley. Jonah McReynolds replaced Whatley on first base and then moved to second a grounder to right field by Gonzalez. The two were left stranded after Spokane’s Melvin Novoa grounded out to second to end the game.

Vancouver pitchers struck out 14 batters, with Justin Dillon (3-1), who was awarded the win on Thursday, leading the pack with six. Dillon walked one and allowed two hits in three innings of relief for the Canadians.

Ragans (3-3) took the loss after fanning six, walking four and allowing five hits in four innings for the Indians.

Joe Barlow, who replaced Ragans on the Hill in the fifth, struck out six, issued one walk and allowed only one hit in 3 2/3 innings.