Expos 4-0 After First Weekend of the 2016 Season

Posted April 11, 2016


Expos 4-0 After First Weekend of the 2016 Season

After a hectic opening weekend which saw the Expos play 28 innings in 2 days it's time to recap the 4 W's.

Game 1 - EXPOS 4 Chilliwack 1

Due to Vancouver Minor Baseball's Opening Ceremonies, the game between the Expos and Chilliwack was requested to be pushed back 2 hours and Chilliwack kindly accomodated the change. When all was said and done, we had a pitching duel on our hands. Horino for Vancouver got the start due to his formidable pre-season numbers on the bump, Horino was opposed by Vanderveen of Chilliwack. Both starters pounded the zone and pitched to contact all game, VanderVeen induced pop-up after pop-up as he continually baffled and frustrated Expos hitters who were generating nothing but weak contact off him all game. The Cougars first run came off an errant outfield overthrow that went out of play and for some odd reason the baserunner at first was awarded home plate; consequently, this frustrated players and coaching staff of the Vancouver team. Nonetheless, the Expos finished the inning strong and moved on; to the top of 6th we go where Zimmer was called in to relieve VanderVeen. Zimmer struggled mightily and the Expos took full advantage, after a few free passes and overthrown pickoffs, the bases were loaded with 1 out and a full count, Yamamoto broke through for the 'Bos and scored the tying and go-ahead run with a clutch base hit up the middle; that was followed by two more runs off a base hit from Horino. Horino pitched great in this contest (4 2/3 IP, 1 R 0 ER, 6K) against a strong top-middle Chilliwack batting lineup. Despite some troubles of his own, Ellis fought through some tough situations and locked down the first league victory of 2016 for the Expos.

Game 2 - Chilliwack 6 EXPOS 9

Vancouver Minor kept the foot on the gas pedal in the night cap of the double header. Again in an attempt to minimize Chilliwack's running game, Hutchings (LHP) got the start, Chilliwack would counter with Ty Hall. The home squad (now Vancouver Minor) jumped out to a 3-nothing lead thanks to the boys who came out swinging. The runs coming 3,2,1 over the first three innings respectively which amounted to a 6-0 lead after 3. It was evident that Hutchings didn't have his best "stuff" tonight as he walked 5 and gave up 6 hits in 4 innings, but the kid battled through adversity and in the end only gave up 1 earned run. The Vancouver defence was not sharp in this one, 5 errors would let Chilliwack score 5 unearned runs and if it wasn't for an early lead at the beginning of the game this game would have gone down to the wire. Inomata and Howse picked up Hutchings nicely as both relievers allowed 0 earned runs, Howse striking out the side in the 7th to earn his first save of the young campaign.

 

Game 1 - Burnaby 2 EXPOS 3

Vancouver's home opener saw the boys in baby blue with the red and blue stripe play host to Kyle Williams' Burnaby Braves. The Braves were kicking off their season on this day and an easy decision by the veteran skipper to give Van Snellenberg, Burnaby's ace, the nod in this one. The Expos countered with Ellis, both teams knew with two hard throwing rightys toeing the rubber, runs were going to come at a premium. The Expos had a game plan against Van Snellenberg and the quality work and execution by numerous Expos batters saw the game plan turn into a success. Van Snellenberg (SVS) struggled with control in the 2nd inning and felt the pressure with the bases loaded as he walked 2 runs in with the bases full, SVS would settle down after the 2nd. Burnaby countered with 2 runs of their own off Ellis in the top half of the next inning (3rd inning) to make it a 1 run game (3-2). After that, baserunners would become a luxury for both squads; Howse came in to relieve Ellis and was simply untouchable for the final 4 innings, the kid faced the minimum (12 batters), struck out half of them (6 Ks) and walked none giving the Braves not a glimmer of hope for a comeback.

Game 2 - EXPOS 5 Burnaby 1

Game 2 saw Hoegler of Burnaby square off against Inomata of Vancouver. Inomata was dominant from start to finish in this contest, the 5'5 righty with a lively arm only needed 73 pitches to throw a complete game gem (7 IP, 1 R 0 BB, 2 K), Inomata hit his spots all day and got weak contact inducing a very high groundball rate. Numerous baserunning gaffes by the Expos cost them multiple runs in this one but thanks to Inomata the mistakes didn't come back to hurt them. Of note, Expos pitching was simply phenomenal today issuing ZERO free passes in 14 innings. Suarez, back from injury this weekend was huge for the Expos as he caught 15/28 innings this weekend also going 5/9 with 3 RBIs at the dish.

 

Despite being peppered with injuries Saturday morning, the weekend was undoubtedly a success with not only 4 victories but all players who were injured in the past weeks saw game action on Sunday. That being said, the next 10 games will be the ultimate test for the Expos, in a span of 3 weeks, Vancouver will see arguably the top 4 teams (going into the season), Richmond, Abbotsford, Delta and White Rock, they will also face the 3 year defending provicial champs, Cloverdale; and all of this gets kicked off on Wednesday where the Vancouver Community Mounties will visit Nanaimo Park.



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