Daniel Wasinger doubled home Jesus Marriaga and Ricky Martinez in fifth inning and gave the home team Hillsboro Hops the go ahead run over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 4-3.  Neither team could hold onto the lead for very long until after Wasinger’s two RBI double. The last four innings held no scoring and both teams were limited to a total of four hits.

Erin Baldwin Earns Win

Erin Baldwin (W, 1-1) earned the credit for the win and was backed up by his bullpen mates.  Those mates (Justin Garcia (H, 5), Eduardo Herrera (H, 2) and Bryan Menendez (S, 4)) kept the Volcanoes scoreless with five strikeouts and only three hits over four innings.

Luis Frias started and lasted four innings but it took him 70 pitches to last that long.  Otherwise, Frias deserved credit for the win but he fell one inning short of qualifying. During those innings, Frias struck out eight Volcano batters and allowed only two runs on four hits.  The Volcanoes, who are the league leaders in team batting average and home runs, could not solve the Hops pitching.

Daniel Wasinger Two-Way Star

The hero of the night, catcher Daniel Wasinger, shined at the plate both offensively and defensively.  In the eighth inning, the Volcanoes threatened with two runners on base and two outs. In a questionable move, Tyler Fitzgerald tried to steal third base.  Wasinger gunned down the attempted base stealer for the third out.

At the plate, Daniel Wasinger doubled the tying and go ahead runs of the night.  His double flew over the head of center fielder Alexander Canario and went to the fence while Marriaga and Martinez flew home ahead of the throw from the outfield.  In Martinez’ case, all the way from first.

Hops Bats Stay Course

In addition to the  go ahead runs when Wasinger doubled, the Hops had seven total hits on the night.  Tristan English smacked his first professional triple in the second inning to score the Hops first run of the game: Kristian Robinson.  English came home after that on Ricky Martinez’ fielder’s choice, the game tied after the Volcanoes scored two runs in the first to start the game.

Jorge Barrosa sliced a single in the first as the Hops first batter of the night.  Steven Leyton singled up the middle in the eighth. The Hop did not match their total hits of the night before but the bats were aggressive and the Volcano pitchers hard to hit.

The Volcanoes went the night with only two pitchers.  Starter Kervin Castro (L, 2-2) went six innings on 74 pitches striking out six but also allowed the Hops four runs on the night.  Cooper Casad pitched the last two innings giving up only one hit.

Standings

The win gave the Hillsboro Hops (20-11) sole possession of first place in the Southern Division.  The loss dropped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (19-12) to one game behind the Hops. The Hops win the series despite one game left to play.

Both teams will face off tomorrow night at Ron Tonkin Field for the third and final game.  The Volcanoes have a chance to climb back into a tie with the Hops with a win. The game will also feature Dansby Swanson bobblehead night.  Tonight was Portland Maverick Monday Night. Read more about the original Mavericks in my feature article.

Hillsboro will send Michel Gelabert (3-1) to the mound.  Gelabert was named pitcher of the week for last week with his seven inning effort against Boise last Thursday.  The Volcanoes have not announced their starter for tomorrow night.

Stay with Minor League Sports Report for game recaps throughout the season.  Follow me on Twitter for half inning updates on all home games.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker