Under the C’s – Rafael Sanchez struggles as Vancouver’s winning streak comes to an end

The Vancouver Canadians saw their five-game win streak evaporate before their very eyes at Nat Bailey Stadium on Thursday night, as they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Hillsboro Hops.

Right-hander Rafael Sanchez got his fourth start on the mound for the Canadians this season, since being called up from the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays in mid-May. The transition to High-A has not been particularly smooth for Sanchez, after going 5 and 0 and a 2.27 ERA in Dunedin, he was 0-3 with a 7.37 in four starts with the Canadians going into Thursday night.

Things got off to a poor start for Rafael, as his first pitch was knocked out to left field by Hops fielder Jonathan Guzman for a base hit.  Sanchez wouldn’t surrender his first run until the fourth inning, when Jesus Valdez drilled one over the centre field wall, past the A&W Root Beer Mug, and onto some poor guy’s windshield to make it 1-0 for the visitors.  Hillsboro would add one more before the end of the inning.  Sanchez would be replaced after the fifth inning, finishing the night with two runs allowed on six hits, four strikeouts and a 6.45 ERA on the night, as he remains winless since coming to Vancouver.

Offensively, the Canadians were very much missing their heavy hitter, Alex De Jesus. The South Cambie Crusher was out of the lineup for Thursday’s game, after a monster 3-for-3 performance in the series opener on Tuesday night. In his absence, the offence came primarily from Devante Brown, who went 2-for-3 with one run scored and three stolen bases, while shortstop Josh Kasevich also managed to get across home plate in the loss, finishing his night 1-for-4.

Despite the loss, Vancouver remains one game up on the Spokane Indians for first in the Northwest League, after Spokane dropped an 8-5 decision to Eugene.  The C’s series with the Hops continues at The Nat through Father’s Day Weekend.