Hillsboro Hops Swept Eugene Emeralds 3-2
Hillsboro Hops swept the host Eugene Emeralds in their final series of the season by a score of 3-2. Both teams went into extra innings for the final outcome to be resolved. Compared to recent games between these two teams, the contest was a short sprint that felt like a marathon.
First Impression
The only time the Hillsboro Hops led was when it counted most. Spending the entire game either tied with the Emeralds or catching up, the barrage of bats from last night were almost a no show. On the night, the Hops walked more than they hit safely at the plate.
Jorge Barrosa, Tristin English and Andy Yerzy accounted for all of the Hops hits, all singles. But, the Hops received six free passes to the bases to go along with their efforts. It was no more true than in the fifth inning when the Hops finally made the scoreboard and tied the game for the first time.
With one out, Andy Yerzy took four straight balls. Dominic Canzone joined him walking on a full count. Kevin Lachance filled the bases when he walked on o 3-1 count. Three consecutive walks and still just one out. The bases primed for Daniel Wasinger to come up and send a sacrifice fly out to bring Yerzy home.
Second Chance
Still, the game drifted along with minimum friction and the score climbed to 2-1 after the Emeralds scored again to take the lead in the seventh. The Hops could muster only one hit, from the first inning, in their struggle to score.
But, the Hops have been known as a comeback team before. Heading into the ninth, down 2-1, they still looked for their second hit of the game. It came three batters into the inning. Andy Yerzy, the first baseman who walked and scored the Hops only run back in the fifth, singled with Jesus Marriaga already on base from a throwing error. That sent the game into extra innings.
Third Time Charm
In the Northwest League, extra inning games begin the inning with a runner on second base. In the tenth, Kevin Lachance took that position. Jorge Barrosa stepped up to the plate and swatted a single to right and Lachance dashed home for the go ahead and eventual winning run.
Liu Fuenmayor (W, 1-0) took the mound in the ninth before the Hops scored the go ahead run giving him the win. Eduardo Herrera (S, 7) came on in relief after the score to earn the save. Aneuris Rosario (L, 0-2) gave up the winning run for the loss.
Standings
With that extra inning victory, the Hillsboro Hops swept the Eugene Emeralds and claimed the tie breaker if they end up tied at the end of the season. The win pushed the Hops (18-10) lead over the Emeralds (14-14) to four games in the Southern Division. Ten games are left in the regular season.
The Hops stay on the road and head up to the Northern Division leading Spokane Indians (17-11) for a four-game series. Drey Jameson (0-0) takes the mound for the Hops. In his last appearance, he lasted two scoreless innings on a limited pitch count giving up two hits.
Zak Kent (0-1) will face him, also on a limited pitch count. In his last appearance, Kent went two innings giving up one earned run on two hits.
Stay with the Minor League Sports Report for game recaps during the season. Also, follow me on Twitter for half inning updates on all Hops home games. The next home game will be August 28th, when the Hops come home to face the Boise Hawks in the season’s last home stand.
Box Score
By
Greg Stoker
@GDStoker