The Hillsboro Hops staved off elimination for the first half crown for one more night as they thumped the Eugene Emeralds 8-2. The Hops were able to score off of every pitcher the Emeralds sent their way at least once.

Tyler Mark (3-2) started off for the Hops on the mound for the win. Mark allowed the only two runs by Eugene but spread them out over seven innings and gave up only three hits while striking out nine in a sparkling performance. Riley Smith and Jake Winston both pitched one inning to close the game out with no runs, no hits and three strike outs of their own.

Surprisingly, Hillsboro managed their eight runs on only five hits. The Hops were aided by the 17 walks by Emerald pitchers during the game. Marcus Wilson, the Hops lead-off hitter, walked all six times at the plate leaving him with no At Bats for the night despite scoring one run. Luis Veras was the only Hops batter with more than one hit, going 2 for 2 with two walks of his own.

In the fourth inning, Louis Silverios doubled with the bases loaded for three RBIs and the Hops only extra base hit on the night. Alexis Olmeda and Mark Karaviotis swatted the other two Hops singles in the game.

Eugene drew first blood at the beginning with two runs when Robert Garcia doubled just before Chris Pieters smacked a two run homer over the right field fence. That early lead were the only runs scored by the Emeralds.

The Hops managed to cut the lead in half when they scored one run in the second after Luis Veras walked and scored on Manny Jefferson’s line drive to right. The Hops would take the lead for good in the fourth on Luis Silverios three run double. From then on, Hillsboro just kept adding chunks to the lead.

In the fifth, the Hops scored two more on Mark Karaviotis two run single bringing Luke Lowry and Alexis Olmeda home. Ramon Hernandez scored in the sixth off of Luis Veras’ sacrifice fly to left. The final run came in the ninth when Ramon Hernandez came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Before Hernandez could make contact, Emerald pitcher Scott Frazier threw a wild pitch allowing Manny Jefferson to score. Final score, Hillsboro over Eugene, 8-2.

Hops pitching limited the Emeralds to three hits total for the game. Along with the Robert Garcia double and Chris Pieters homer in the first, Yeiler Peguerro singled in the third.

Bryan Hudson (1-3) started for the Emeralds and lasted four innings for the loss. Hudson allowed four runs (only one earned) on three hits but walked six batters. Andin Diaz came to the mound for the fifth inning and the Hops scored two more runs on two hits and three walks. Enrique De Los Rios lasted two innings giving up one run on no hits and five walks. Scott Frazier finished the last two innings allowing another run on no hits, three walks and a wild pitch.

The Hillsboro Hops gained on the North Division leading Eugene Emeralds and are only six games out of first place. The Hillsboro remains one Hops loss or one Emerald win during the next six games to be eliminated from the first half crown.

Both teams meet Wednesday night for the final rubber match at PK Park with the series tied at one game a piece.

Boxscore

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

By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker