The Hillsboro Hops bats saved the best for last with a four run ninth inning.  Brimming with confidence, the 2019 version of the short season single A team of the Arizona Diamondbacks knew they just needed a chance.    The Hops used their last chance to down the Vancouver Canadians 6-3.

Hops Bats Go Around Order

All they had to do was turn it on.  For that, they called on Andy Yerzy to lead off.  The veteran from last year’s team led off with a single.  Then consecutive hit batsmen, Kristian Robinson and this year’s third round draft choice Tristan English, was the first clue that things had finally started going their way.

The bases were loaded with no outs.  Daniel Wasinger knocked home the tying and go ahead runs.  The Canadians decided to change pitchers. It did not help.  David Garza doubled with the Hops lone extra base hit of the night.  Jesus Marriaga ended the scoring with a walk with the bases loaded.

By the time the dust settled from the top of the ninth, the Hops batted around the order.  It started and ended with Andy Yerzy, a fitting bookend.

Hops First Lead

The Hops actually made their first noise in the fourth when English, Wasinger, Lyle Lin and Garza combined four consecutive singles to score the game’s first run.  After Marriaga’s sacrifice fly, the Hops held their first lead at 2-0.

The lead lasted until the bottom of the sixth when the Candians scored all three of their runs.  Their one inning barrage was highlighted by designated hitter Ryan Sloniger’s two run homer giving the home team their fragile lead of 3-2.

Hops Pitching Hold On

Marcos Tineo started for the Hops and delivered five innings of three hit ball with no score.  The bullpen came on in the sixth and tried to hold on to their shutout but the Canadians couldn’t be held down forever.  Before the inning could end, Vancouver held its only lead of the game but made it last three innings. Andy McGuire (L, 0-1) took the loss for the home team.

Luckily, fellow ‘pen mates Yaramil Hiraldo, Jake Polancic (W, 1-0) and Bryan Menendez (S, 2) teamed up for over three innings of brilliant no hit ball.

While the pitching gave the Hops the chance to win by opening the door, it was the Hops bats that barreled through.  Four teammates: Marriaga, Wasinger, Lin and Garza, had multi-hit games. English scored twice. Marriaga, Wasinger and Garza drove home multiple runs.

Standings

Subsequently, the win kept the Hillsboro Hops (12-6) apace with a one game lead atop the Southern Division over the S-K Volcanoes.  The Hops continue with the league’s best record. With the loss, the Vancouver Canadians (5-13) remain five back of the Spokane Indians and Tri-City Dust Devils who are tied atop the Northern Division.

Next Game

Both teams return Tuesday night for game two of the three game series.  RHP Wilfry Cruz (0-0) will take the mound for the Hops. Wilfry was promoted from the Missoula Osprey on Monday.  Moreover, the Dominican native will make his Hops debut on the fourth anniversary of his signing with the Diamondbacks as a free agent in 2015.

In addition, Adam Kloffenstein will start for the Canadians.  The 2018 third round draft choice made his previous appearance last Wednesday against Everett.  Then, in 4.1 innings, Kloffenstein gave up three earned runs but struck out five in the no decision.

To keep up to date, stay here to check out all game recaps of Hillsboro Hops games.   In addition, if you can’t make a home game or listen to Rich Burk on 620 AM, be sure to follow me on Twitter for half inning updates from the press box.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker