Carlos Herrera lifted a seventh inning two-run blast to left in a game filled with home runs.  Counting home runs, the Hillsboro Hops beat the Tri City Dust Devils 3-2.  But, if you’re counting runs like most people do, Tri City wins 7-6.

Final Word – Carlos Herrera Ends Conversation

The game went back and forth with little swings and big swings.  Both teams had four run innings that canceled each other out.  Both teams traded home runs with the lead remaining in easy reach of the opponent.  But, the final shot ended up the game winner.

With a man on first and two outs, Carlos Herrera stepped up to the plate in the seventh.  With the second pitch, Carlos snapped his wrists and sent the ball sailing past the fence.  The 7-6 score stood for the last two innings and became the final winning margin.

Carlos Herrera – Francisco Del Valle Get Started

In fact, most of the damage by both teams happened in the middle innings.  The score after two remained locked at 0-0.  The third was when the Dust Devils answered the Hops solo shot from Reece Hampton in the top of the inning with four runs of their own.  Carlos Herrera and Francisco Del Valle smacked back-to-back singles, each bringing home a runner.  Then Franklin Torres cleared the bases of runners with his two out double.  The hard punch by the home team set the largest lead of the night at 4-1.

The Hops’ Tra Holmes decreased the lead with his lead-off triple in the fifth.  The left fielder scored on Alexander Hernandez’ RBI ground-out moments later.  But, again, the Dust Devils answered in the bottom of the inning when Brendon Davis’ lead-off solo shot pushed the lead back to three.

Tit For Tat

Hillsboro answered back with four runs of their own to take the lead.  Eduardo Diaz led off the fifth with a solo shot, chasing Hector Yan from the mound.  Tyler Smith came aboard for the Dust Devils and immediately retired the next two batters.  Before he could get the third out, a Nick Dalesandro single and a Tra Holmes base on balls followed by a three-run homer from Alexander Hernandez stole the lead back to the Hops.

Sprinkle in some more one run innings and you have the stage set for Carlos Herrera and his game winning shot over the left field fence.

Carlos Herrera and Home Run Derby Overshadows Pitching

Sprinkled in between the home runs, the pitching hummed throughout the innings.  In fact, if you take out the home runs, Tri City would still win, but at a reduced score of 4-1.  But, that is the story of tonight’s game: “If…”

If Tri City starting pitcher Hector Yan did not give up two runs at the end of his pitch count, he would have been remembered as the winning pitcher striking out six batters.  If the Hops’ starting pitcher Bryce Jarvis could take away the third inning, he would have been remembered as the winning pitcher striking out six batters.  Even the most beautiful diamond will have a flaw.  That describes the pitching of this game.

Despite the five home runs, the game featured 28 strikeouts with only seven walks.

Steals

The Hops stole three more bases to increase their MiLB league leading total to 62 stolen bases.  The Spokane Indians are second in the High-A West League with 44 stolen bases.  Not only are the Indians second in the league, but also second in all of minor league baseball.

Standings

With the loss, The Hillsboro Hops (9-12) still remain five games back of Everett who also lost tonight.  With the win, the Tri City Dust Devils (6-15) are eight games back after gaining a game on Everett.  Subsequently, both teams will play at Gesa Stadium tomorrow night for the fourth game of the six game series.  Hillsboro currently leads two games to one.  Game time is 6:30 PM and will be on radio 620 AM.

In the meantime, check out the coaches of the Hops for this year in case you missed them before the season started.  Firstly, start off with manager Vince Harrison and continue with pitching coach Shane Loux, hitting coach K.C. Judge and extra coach Juan Francia.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker