The Hillsboro Hops dominated the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 7-3 drawing the Hops into a first place tie with their opponent. With twelve hits and opportunistic batting, the Hops took every chance to score another run.

Volcanoes Strike First

First blood came in the first inning from the Volcanoes with a solo shot by right fielder Franklin Labour.  The game ended the same way with catcher Ricardo Genoves’ solo shot to right in a last gasp effort in the ninth. In between, the Hops dominated the scoreboard allowing only one more run for S-K in the fifth when second baseman Yorlis Rodriguez led off with a double and scored off a second out ground out.

Hops Dominated Mid Game

Otherwise, the Hops dominated.  Two runs in the second with back to back to back singles and a sacrifice fly gave the Hops the lead for good, 2-1.  Again, two runs in the third after Jorge Barrosa tripled home Nick Grande and then came home on a double play. Furthermore, two runs in the fourth when the Hops put three more singles together, the last one being Nick Dalesandro’s two RBI single scoring Jesus Marriaga and Ricky Martinez.

The team effort was evenly spread out among the nine batters of the lineup.  Seven batters at least scored a run or drove one across the plate. Nick Dalesandro knocked four teammates home in his first three at bats.  Jesus Marriaga started of with three hits, one a double, and scored off of every one.

Deyni Olivero Winning Pitcher

Deyni Olivero started for the Hops and threw 78 pitches before being relieved in the sixth inning.  While on the mound, he evenly distributed six hits and allowed two runs. It was enough for the win.  Yaramil Hiraldo, Jacob Stevens and Bryan Menendez finished the game for the team allowing only one hit the rest of the way.  Albeit, that one hit turned out to be the last gasp home run in the ninth from Genoves.

Standings

The game matched up the two teams with the best record in the Northwest League.  With eight more games to play in the first half of the season, it couldn’t be any closer.  The win drew the Hillsboro Hops (19-11) into a first place tie with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (19-11) loss.  Both teams will meet again at Ron Tonkin Stadium for game 2 of the series. The Southern Division crown is on the line.  It will also be the second Mavericks Monday of the season. For those of you that are unfamiliar with who the Mavericks are, please check out my feature article from last year.

Dansby Swanson Returns in Miniature

For the last game of this series on Tuesday, attending fans will receive a Dansby Swanson bobblehead.  For those of you who are not familiar with Swanson, he is a former Hops from the 2015 season. Swanson was the first overall pick of the draft and the first overall #1 pick to debut in the Northwest League since Ken Griffey, Jr. back in 1987 for the then Bellingham Mariners.  Swanson is now the starting shortstop for the NL Atlanta Braves.

2019 All-Star Game

This year’s All Star game is coming soon on August 6th.  It will be held in Boise, Idaho, home of the NW league Boise Hawks.  The All Star game features the best of the NW League facing the best of the Pioneer League.  Each year, the location alternates between the two leagues. Hillsboro hosted the game back in 2017.

Stay with the Minor League Sports Report for recaps of all the games.  Follow me on Twitter for continual half-inning updates during all home games.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker