In exciting fashion, the Hillsboro Hops gave the fans a Hollywood ending to pull the game away from the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes at the last minute, 4-3. In the bottom of the ninth with two outs and the bases loaded, Matt Railey hit an infield single to score Josh Anderson for the win.  It was the only time in the game that Hillsboro held the lead.

The Hops, who have played most of this young season on the road, are taking advantage of the short home stay to recharge and play with electricity.

It was Salem-Keizer who started with energy before the Hops even had a chance to come to the plate. The Volcanoes scored two quick runs and staked themselves to an early lead. It was Justin Chigbogu for the Hops who, in the fourth, sent the ball flying over the left field fence for his first home run of the season, cutting the lead in half.

But, Vancouver would not go down easily and gained the two run lead back in the next inning as Kevin Rivera scored on a Gio Brusa single up the middle. That would be the last run the Volcanoes would score as Tucker Ward and Jake Winston took the mound for the last four innings to hold SK to two hit ball and six strike outs.

The Hops started taking control of the game in the sixth and seventh, grabbing momentum heading into the final inning. Luke Lowery was able to score when Sergio Alcantara walked with the bases loaded in the sixth. In the next inning, Marcus Wilson was able to work his way around the bases with a walk, a steal second base and he went to third on Josh Anderson’s sacrifice to center. Luke Lowery hit a deep fly to right field that brought Wilson home to tie the game and set the stage for the Hops to keep the fans on the edge of their seats until the bottom of the ninth/bases loaded/two-out heroics.

Luke Lowery went 1 for 3, scored a run and brought Marcus Wilson home for the tying score. Justin Chigbogu went 2 for 5 with his solo homer in the fourth. Alexis Olmeda went 2 for 5. Josh Anderson went 1 for 4 and scored the winning run, crossing the plate into a happy waiting crowd of teammates.

Jeferson Mejia started on the mound for the Hops, going five innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on five hits. Tucker Ward and Jake Winston closed the Volcanoes down the rest of the way. Closer Winston (1-0) earned the win.

The Volcanoes scattered seven hits in the game, resulting in their three runs. Kevin Rivera went 2 for 4 and scored. Ryan Howard went 1 for 3 and scored.

Raffi Vizcaino started for the Volcanoes,lasting five innings and giving up one run on three hits. Vizcaino struck out six. Caleb Simpson and Cesar Yanez both gave up a run in their one inning. It was Rayan Hernandez (0-1) who allowed the winning run for the loss.

The Hillsboro Hops (5-8) remain four games out of first but gained on the second place Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (6-7).

Both teams will face each other in the final game of the short three-game series tomorrow night at Ron Tonkin Field, 7:05 pm. RHP Taylor Wright (0-2) will take the mound for the Hops and face Melvin Adon (0-1) for the Volcanoes. The Hops lead the series 2-0 and will be looking for the sweep. The Hops have won back to back games for the first time this season.

Sergio Alcantara’s rehab assignment with the Hops is now over. He has been transferred to the Hops so the fans will be seeing more of the returning shortstop from last year’s championship squad.

Boxscore

Photography by Portland Oregon Photographer Craig MItchelldyer
www.craigmitchelldyer.com
503.513.0550

By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker