At first, Andy Yerzy’s second home run of the night was just another insurance run. It gave the Hillsboro Hops a three run lead.   They needed it as the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes made it a one run game in the  bottom of the eighth.  The Hops faced the winning run at the plate with one out in the bottom of the ninth.  Chester Pimentel (S, 5) struck out Joey Bart and David Villar to earn the save, 9-8.

Eight Home Runs Disrupts Pitching

The explosive homer fest barreled over most of the nine pitchers used by both teams.  Only three made it through the game unscathed without allowing a run.  The previously mentioned Pimentel and Kai-Wei Lin who blanked the fifth. Yeison Santana (W, 2-0) got the Hops out of trouble in the sixth and grabbed the win.  All three pitchers wore Hillsboro Hops uniforms.

For the home team Volcanoes, Jake Wong started and went three innings allowing the Hops’ first run.  Ryan Walker finished allowing the Hops’ last run.  In between, Alex DuBord (L, 0-2) gave up seven of the Hops’ nine runs for the loss.

Andy Yerzy Overpowers

The lead see-sawed back and forth throughout the entire game.  The biggest lead being the momentary three run lead given by Andy Yerzy.  But, Andy was far from the lone power in the line-up.  Jorge Perez also hit 3 for 4 with his second home run of the season.  Zach Jones smacked his first homer of the season in the seventh.  Joey Rose and Keyshawn Lynch added a double each.  Six of the 16 hits for the Hops went for extra bases.

The star of the night, Andy Yerzy, easily shined the brightest.  No one equaled his stat line: 4 for 5, two home runs, two runs and three RBI.  Yerzy set the tone in the first inning when his RBI single scored Jake McCarthy for an early 1-0 lead.  After another single and a strike out, Yerzy blasted a solo shot in the seventh.  It started the four run explosion where the Hops took the lead for good.  His 2^nd homer was more than a cherry on top as it proved to be the winning run.

Standings

The win kept the Hillsboro Hops (16-8) four games ahead of the Eugene Emeralds (12-12).  Consequently, the Hops remain on top of the Southern Division.  The loss dropped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (11-13) to third place and five games back.  The win also helped the Hops sweep the three game series from the home team.  After traveling for the last eleven games, the Hops return home with an 9-2 record for the trip.

The Hops return home Monday night for an eight game home stand starting with another Monday night Portland Mavericks Night.  The Hops will be wearing the now familiar red uniforms of the legendary team in tribute.  Also, 17 original Mavericks players, coaches and front office staff will make an appearance.  Before the game, the guests of honor will be available to greet fans and sign autographs.  The night will start a three game series against the second place Emeralds.

Portland Mavericks Monday Night

Brailyn Marquez (1-3) opens for the Emeralds.  On 8/14, Marquez started and went six innings keeping the Hops down to one earned run.  Brailyn left the mound up 4-1.  It turned out to be a no decision.  Likewise, the Hops quickly scored four runs and took the lead in a 6-4 win.  The Hops have not announced their starting pitcher yet.

The Volcanoes will remain home for one more three game series, this time against the Boise Hawks.  Afterwards, they will travel to Spokane for a five game series as the season is starting to wind down.

Boxscore

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker