The Vancouver Canadians are just one win away from their fifth Northwest League Championship.

On Friday evening, the Canadians hosted the Everett AquaSox for Game Three of their four-game series, with Vancouver winning 1-0. This gives them a 2-1 series lead, with the two remaining games at home.
Let’s take a look at some storylines from last night’s game.
<h2>Hunter Gregory, more like Houdini Gregory:</h2>
The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher made the start for the Canadians, finishing with a line of 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.
That’s a solid stat line on the surface level, but there was a lot of traffic, especially in the first two innings. Mariners’ top prospect Cole Young hit a single in the first at-bat of the game, while Harry Ford walked. However, Gregory got out of it with a flyout and two strikeouts. And he was pumped, to say the least.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
HUNTER GREGORY STRANDS THE TWO BASERUNNERS.
Blows a fastball right by the batter for his second strikeout. <a href="https://t.co/r9zHaj5qdl">pic.twitter.com/r9zHaj5qdl</a>
&mdash; Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702869206402809934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In the second inning, Gregory struck out the first batter and got the next to ground out, before he beamed Bill Knight in the helmet with a 1-2 pitch (and the Mariners prospect absolutely sold the hit-by-pitch.)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Seattle Mariners&#39; prospect Bill Knight just no sold a fastball to the head.
He&#39;s totally fine as well.<a href="https://t.co/yu9mJ7734H">pic.twitter.com/yu9mJ7734H</a>
&mdash; Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702872807531569547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Like in most cases where a pitcher hits a batter above the shoulders, Gregory was pretty rattled as he walked the next two batters, before striking out Ford on a 3-2 pitch. Again, he was pumped.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
HOUDINI GREGORY IS BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH HIS FOURTH STRIKEOUT<a href="https://t.co/WkjLJwILtu">pic.twitter.com/WkjLJwILtu</a>
&mdash; Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702874638290710666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It was smooth sailing from there, as he faced the minimum in his next two innings. Overall, it was a solid start with a little bit of traffic, but great composure.
The 2021 draftee finished the season with a 4.34 ERA and a 4.08 FIP in 56 innings pitched this season, along with a 25.9 K% and a 10.5 BB%.
<h2>The bullpen shuts it down… again:</h2>
After Gregory finished his four innings, Ian Churchill took over and finished with a line of 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. Like with Gregory, he got out of some trouble (walk + error) to strand runners in his first inning. The 24-year-old lefty had a smooth sixth, before running into some trouble and being replaced by Ryan Boyer in the seventh.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Here&#39;s Ian Churchill&#39;s strikeout thread from this evening!
Fastball here for the swing and miss.<a href="https://t.co/haA0Owoe5p">pic.twitter.com/haA0Owoe5p</a>
&mdash; Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702887662607061280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Boyer, 26, finished with a line of 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 3 K, including one of those strikeouts coming with runners on the corners. This season, the righty finished with a 0.29 ERA and a 2.24 FIP in 30.2 innings pitched,, along with a 33.6 K% and a 6.9 BB%.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Here&#39;s Ryan Boyer&#39;s strikeout thread!
Beats him with a rising fastball.<a href="https://t.co/NTQRGRGB1X">pic.twitter.com/NTQRGRGB1X</a>
&mdash; Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702899177888296963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Conor Larkin was the last Canadians pitcher, and he went 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, and got the game-winning out, along with a strikeout.
Just a great job by the bullpen.
<h2>Josh Kasevich has the defensive game of his life:</h2>
Kasevich excels in two areas, his hit tool, and his defence at shortstop. On Friday, he went 1-4 with a strikeout, but it was his defence that stood out.
The first was a diving catch in the top of the third inning to retire the first out. This showed off his quick-twitch athleticism.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Josh Kasevich, diving catch, September 15 <a href="https://t.co/HJcpxzZAdk">pic.twitter.com/HJcpxzZAdk</a>
&mdash; Blue Jays clips (@JaysMiLBClips) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702877458687529089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Kasevich made another nice play the inning after, as he snagged a tough hop and made it look easy, ending the inning.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Josh Kasevich, Tough Hop, September 15 <a href="https://t.co/d5QHn9a2Ys">pic.twitter.com/d5QHn9a2Ys</a>
&mdash; Blue Jays clips (@JaysMiLBClips) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702883270373814566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The third spectacular play was arguably his best, as he ranged to his right, and uncorked a strong throw to get the speedy base runner. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Josh Kasevich, Typical great defensive play, September 15 <a href="https://t.co/KW5h9Cd7br">pic.twitter.com/KW5h9Cd7br</a>
&mdash; Blue Jays clips (@JaysMiLBClips) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702886015722029240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
His last good play came with runners on the corners with two outs, as he showcased his great IQ to flip the ball to the second baseman.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Josh Kasevich, nice play (part 4), September 15 <a href="https://t.co/USpjTI4s0s">pic.twitter.com/USpjTI4s0s</a>
&mdash; Blue Jays clips (@JaysMiLBClips) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702898850954944597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
All in all, Kasevich made some great plays that kept runners off the base paths.
<h2>The Canadians only needed one extra-base hit:</h2>
Out of the 10 hits in this game (five apiece), Gabriel Martinez was the only batter to hit an extra-base hit. Thankfully, the Canadians had runners on first and second with no outs as Martinez gave it a ride to the deepest part of the ballpark. Had there been two outs, this would have likely scored both runners, but it was enough to get the win.
<h2>What’s next&#8230;</h2>
The Canadians will have a chance to win the Northwest League Championship on Saturday at 10:05 PM EDT. Ryan Jennings will take a mound for the Jays High-A affiliate.
<hr />
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" data-wpel-link="external">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
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The Vancouver Canadians are just one win away from their fifth Northwest League Championship.



On Friday evening, the Canadians hosted the Everett AquaSox for Game Three of their four-game series, with Vancouver winning 1-0. This gives them a 2-1 series lead, with the two remaining games at home.

Let’s take a look at some storylines from last night’s game.
<h2>Hunter Gregory, more like Houdini Gregory:</h2>
The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher made the start for the Canadians, finishing with a line of 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.

That’s a solid stat line on the surface level, but there was a lot of traffic, especially in the first two innings. Mariners’ top prospect Cole Young hit a single in the first at-bat of the game, while Harry Ford walked. However, Gregory got out of it with a flyout and two strikeouts. And he was pumped, to say the least.

https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702869206402809934

In the second inning, Gregory struck out the first batter and got the next to ground out, before he beamed Bill Knight in the helmet with a 1-2 pitch (and the Mariners prospect absolutely sold the hit-by-pitch.)

https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702872807531569547

Like in most cases where a pitcher hits a batter above the shoulders, Gregory was pretty rattled as he walked the next two batters, before striking out Ford on a 3-2 pitch. Again, he was pumped.

https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702874638290710666

It was smooth sailing from there, as he faced the minimum in his next two innings. Overall, it was a solid start with a little bit of traffic, but great composure.

The 2021 draftee finished the season with a 4.34 ERA and a 4.08 FIP in 56 innings pitched this season, along with a 25.9 K% and a 10.5 BB%.
<h2>The bullpen shuts it down… again:</h2>
After Gregory finished his four innings, Ian Churchill took over and finished with a line of 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. Like with Gregory, he got out of some trouble (walk + error) to strand runners in his first inning. The 24-year-old lefty had a smooth sixth, before running into some trouble and being replaced by Ryan Boyer in the seventh.

https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702887662607061280

Boyer, 26, finished with a line of 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 3 K, including one of those strikeouts coming with runners on the corners. This season, the righty finished with a 0.29 ERA and a 2.24 FIP in 30.2 innings pitched,, along with a 33.6 K% and a 6.9 BB%.

https://twitter.com/Brennan_L_D/status/1702899177888296963

Conor Larkin was the last Canadians pitcher, and he went 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, and got the game-winning out, along with a strikeout.

Just a great job by the bullpen.
<h2>Josh Kasevich has the defensive game of his life:</h2>
Kasevich excels in two areas, his hit tool, and his defence at shortstop. On Friday, he went 1-4 with a strikeout, but it was his defence that stood out.

The first was a diving catch in the top of the third inning to retire the first out. This showed off his quick-twitch athleticism.

https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702877458687529089

Kasevich made another nice play the inning after, as he snagged a tough hop and made it look easy, ending the inning.

https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702883270373814566

The third spectacular play was arguably his best, as he ranged to his right, and uncorked a strong throw to get the speedy base runner. 

https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702886015722029240

His last good play came with runners on the corners with two outs, as he showcased his great IQ to flip the ball to the second baseman.

https://twitter.com/JaysMiLBClips/status/1702898850954944597

All in all, Kasevich made some great plays that kept runners off the base paths.
<h2>The Canadians only needed one extra-base hit:</h2>
Out of the 10 hits in this game (five apiece), Gabriel Martinez was the only batter to hit an extra-base hit. Thankfully, the Canadians had runners on first and second with no outs as Martinez gave it a ride to the deepest part of the ballpark. Had there been two outs, this would have likely scored both runners, but it was enough to get the win.
<h2>What’s next...</h2>
The Canadians will have a chance to win the Northwest League Championship on Saturday at 10:05 PM EDT. Ryan Jennings will take a mound for the Jays High-A affiliate.

<hr />

<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" data-wpel-link="external">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
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