Horwitz's four hits pace Canadians to win

Spencer Horwitz had four hits for the Vancouver Canadians on Friday. Photo: Vancouver Canadians/Twitter

September 3, 2021

Official Vancouver Canadians News Release

EVERETT, WA – Spencer Horwitz logged four hits – including his 10th home run of the year – and finished a triple shy of the cycle to lead the Vancouver Canadians to a 9-7 win over the Everett AquaSox (Mariners) Friday afternoon at Funko Field.

The game was decided on the final play. With the bases loaded, one out and a run already home in the bottom of the ninth, Thomas Ruwe (S, 1) was called upon mid-inning to try and stymie a Frogs rally that began with a single then three consecutive walks. The right-hander’s second pitch was lined to deep right but Eric Rivera made a leaping grab at the track then whipped the throw to second base to double up the potential tying run and end the game with the C’s on top by two.

Vancouver took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. Trailing 6-5, Zac Cook doubled to start the rally then stole third. After a walk, Horwitz logged his third hit of the game with an RBI single to left field that tied it 6-6. Another walk loaded the bases then a fielder’s choice put the C’s ahead before another fielder’s choice in the next at-bat brought home the third run of the inning to put Vancouver up 7-5. Cook slugged his seventh jack of the year to start the eighth for what proved to be a huge insurance run that at the time made it 9-6.

Everett started the scoring with a home run in the bottom of the first but Orelvis Martinez immediately tied the game in the top of the second with a lead-off solo homer. The No. 3 Blue Jays prospect has gone deep in three of his last four games and now has nine dingers in High-A through 26 games played.

After a Frogs home run in the second made it 4-1 Everett, the Canadians responded with two runs in the third on an Eric Rivera double, a Cook single, a run-scoring error and a Horwitz RBI double that extended his hitting streak to 22 consecutive games.

Vancouver briefly took the lead with solo home runs from Rafael Lantigua and Horwitz in the fifth before the AquaSox grabbed the lead back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Horwitz and Cook both finished the game needing a triple for the cycle. The former notched four hits in a game for the third time in the last three weeks. On the mound, Burlington, Ont., native Alex Nolan (W, 1-5) worked five innings of relief and allowed two runs on two hit.

The C’s and ‘Sox return to action on Saturday night. No. 13 Blue Jays prospect Sem Robberse goes for Vancouver while Everett has named Jimmy Joyce as their starter.