Another 8th inning score gives San Francisco 2-0 lead in Best of 5 with Vancouver

Another big 8th-inning run on Friday night proved the difference for San Francisco, which took a 2-0 lead over Vancouver in the 1st round of the DMBL playoffs, after  the 5-2 victory.

The Iron Fist managed 2 runs on just 2 hits against a wild Chris Sale and got a strong start out of Chris Archer, who surrendered 4 hits and 2 runs over 7 innings, with 9 K's against 2 walks. But normally reliable closer Andrew Miller, who blew one save all year, was called upon in a tough situation.

The Iron First offense was quiet but made the most of it thanks to Sale's wildness. Their only runs came in the 2nd inning. Eduardo Escobar and Stephen Vogt walked ahead of a Jonathan Schoop single that brought home Escobar. David Murphy walked before Sale got two outs and was almost out of the inning until he walked J.D. Martinez to force in a second run. Sale got Wil Myers to ground out to second base to end the inning.

San Francisco responded with a Carlos Gomez home run to lead off the 3rd, cutting the Vancouver lead to 2-1.

The Experience offense was pretty dormant until the 8th. Archer walked the No. 9 hitter, Andrelton Simmons, and got the hook. Mark Lowe came on and got Alex Gordon to fly to center before the rain delayed the game for over an hour. When play resumed, Brandon Belt doubled off Lowe, putting men on 2nd and 3rd. Leading 2-1, Vancouver called on its closer. Miller walked pinch-hitter Danny Espinosa to load the bases, which brought up another pinch-hitter in Juan Lagares.

Lagares lashed a bases-clearing double to left center, putting San Francisco ahead, 4-2. Miller beared down to strike out Seth Smith but Yunel Escobar added an insurance run with a single to bring Lagares home before Jonathan Lucroy ended the inning by flying to center.

With Kenley Jansen unavailable after his 3-inning outing in Game 1, the Experience turned to Darren O'Day who closed out the Iron First in the 9th and Game 2 for the win.

During the regular season, Vancouver was 70-3 when leading after 7 innings. Conversely, San Francisco was a more than respectable 8-58 when trailing after 7. The Experience continued their dominance after a 9-1 regular reason record against the Iron Fist.

Despite 6 walks, Sale got the win, striking out 9 over 8 innings but only giving up 2 runs amid 129 pitches. Lowe was tagged with the loss after just a third of an inning and and one hit and earned run allowed. Miller, who converted 27 of 28 save opportunities in the regular season, was charged with the blown save after surrendering 2 runs on 2 hits in 2/3 of an inning.

The series will shift to Vancouver for Game 3 on Sunday as the Iron Fist will try to stave off elimination. Rookie left-hander Andrew Heaney (13-8, 3.54) gets the call to save Vancouver's season. San Francisco will start Mike Fiers (11-11. 4.22) as they look for a sweep of the Best of 5 series.

A win would give The Experience the series, three games to none, setting up a semifinal matchup against 2nd-seeded Arkansas, and leaving No. 1 Tucson to square off against the winner of No. 4 Sardine City and No. 5 Allentown.