Adrian Del Moral Leads Hillsboro Hops Over Ems, 4-0
Adrian Del Moral (W, 1-0) returns to the Hillsboro Hops for another season and led the team to a shut-out victory on the road over the Eugene Emeralds, 4-0. In a repeat score from the night before, Del Moral pitched five one-hit, scoreless innings as the day’s starter for the win. He did it with masterful control throwing 46 strikes out of 68 pitches resulting in seven strike-outs to go with only two walks.
The Hops’ bullpen continued the game control with four more scoreless innings divided up between three staff members. Jake Polancic gave up a ground rule double to Yonathan Perlaza, but otherwise struck out the side during one inning. Yaramil Hiraldo kept the Ems hitless for two innings while striking out two. And Justin Garcia closed out the game in the ninth inning giving up one hit and struck out one batter. For the total, the Hops struck out 13 batters for the unlucky Ems.
Yunior Perez (L, 0-1) started for the Emeralds going three innings and giving up the first two Hops runs for the loss. Enrique De Los Rios followed with two excellent innings of no hit ball but it was too late. With no run support, the horses were out of the barn before the pitching could close the door.
Kristian Robinson Scores Twice, Including Go-Ahead run
Hops bats made efficient use of seven hits to score four runs on the night. The first and winning run came in the second inning when Jorge Barrosa doubled in Kristian Robinson. Robinson led off the inning with a single and a stolen base to set up the score. Barrosa was thrown out at third trying to stretch his double into a triple.
An insurance run came in the fourth after Jorge Barrosa grounded into a double play. Jesus Marriaga was on third after back to back singles by he and Kristian Robinson. Robinson scored another run in the seventh starting with a lead off walk. After moving to third on another Barrosa hit, this time a single, Robinson came home on a Joe Robbins sacrifice fly. Barrosa would score later in the inning on a double by Joe Gillette.
The Hops are showing a propensity for small ball in their last two games, both wins. Bunching opportunities together, the bats are making each hit count. Coupled with shut down pitching from starting pitcher to closer, the Hops are finding a winning combination early in the season after an opening night loss.
Adrian Del Moral Returns for Second Go Around
In his second year, all with the Hops, the 20 year old from Mexico has gotten off to a nice start. Signed as a free agent back on August 1st in 2017, Adrian Del Moral showed his potential in his first season as a pro when he was named NWL Pitcher of the Week on 7/8/2018.
Standings
With the win, the Hillsboro Hops (2-1) remain one game behind the undefeated Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. The loss drops the Eugene Emeralds (1-2) to two games behind the Southern Division leaders.
The Hops move on to the Tri Cities to play the Dust Devils in a four game series. The Eugene Emeralds travel to Vancouver, Canada to play the Candians in another four game series. This coming Friday, the Hops will return home for the 2019 season home opener against the same Canadians. The game will feature the annual season opening fireworks. Tickets are still on sale at the box office or on their website.
Check out my season opening article here.
Boxscore
By
Greg Stoker
@GDStoker