Ismael Munguia (pronounced “Moon-gwee-uh) only capped the sixth inning with his three-run homer.  It contributed the eighth, ninth and last runs of the inning. A twelve man trip to the plate helped the Eugene Emeralds barely defeat the Hillsboro Hops 10-9.

The nine runs gave the Emeralds a comfortable 10-6 lead.  However, the Hops did their best to chip away at that lead falling short at the finish line.  Scoring one run in each inning from the sixth thru the ninth, the Hops ran out of innings to send it into extra innings.  An ironic end to a game that could have gone either way.

Hops Bryce Jarvis Holds Ems Back

Starter Bryce Jarvis spread 91 pitches over five innings.  He faced 17 batters, only two over the minimum, to help his team build a five-to-one lead after five.  Jarvis stayed in the game long enough to qualify as the winning pitcher if the team could hold on to a four run lead.  But, even Jarvis could not hold onto that lead.

The Hops built that lead in one inning – the second.  Batting around the order, the visiting team led off with Tristin English getting on board thanks to a throwing error from Ems third baseman Sean Roby.  Eduardo Diaz singled and Nick Dalesandro walked to load the bases.  Reece Hampton doubled English and Diaz home for the 2-0 lead.  Dalesandro scored on Cam Coursey’s groundout for the 3-0 lead.  Buddy Kennedy singled Hampton home to make it 4-0.  Finally, Dominic Canzone doubled Kennedy home for a 5-0 lead.

The Hops added one more run in the top of the sixth to make it a 6-1 lead.  Nick Dalesandro scored on a second throwing error by Ems third baseman Roby.  The Ems scored their first run in the prior inning when right fielder Franklin Labour doubled Tyler Fitzgerald home to make it 5-1.  Now, the Ems were ready for their coming out party in the bottom of the sixth.

Nick Avila Stops Bleeding

But first, the Ems needed Nick Avila to come in and keep the Hops under control.  For three innings, Nick did that by keeping the Hops scoreless until the top of the sixth.  Even then, Nick only allowed one run.

Ismael Scores Twice in Same Inning

The bottom of the sixth turned the game around.  Down 6-1 the Ems exploded with twelve batters coming to the plate and scoring nine runs.  The home team now had the comfortable lead, 10-6.  The first three Ems batters reached base safely to load them and chase Hops starter Bryce Jarvis.  Reliever Nick Snyder came to the mound in his place.  Sean Roby sent a deep fly out to center scoring Heath Quinn and Ismael Munguia.  Tyler Fitzgerald doubled home Will Wilson and Roby.

With the score 6-5, Franklin Labour singled home Diego Rincones for the tying run.  That was enough to chase Hops Nick Snyder (L, 1-2) and bring in new arrival Mailon Arroyo for the Hops’ third pitcher of the inning.  But, it was not enough to stop the Ems from scoring more.

Ismael Munguia Takes Lead

Tyler Fitzgerald brought Flores home on a sacrifice fly.  The Ems now had the lead  but not the final punch out.  That came when Ismael Munguia sent a three run shot over the right field fence scoring Labour and Quinn.  Score 10-6, Ems.

After that, the Hops nibbled at the four run lead.  Andy Yerzy doubled Blaze Alexander home in the seventh to cut it down to three runs.  Reece Hampton singled home Eduardo Diaz in the eighth to cut the lead to two runs.  For the ninth, the Ems brought Chris Wright (S, 2) in for the close.  Then, Blaze Alexander scored his second run of the night on Diaz’ fielder’s choice to cut the lead to one.

The trouble?  No more innings.  The Eugene Emeralds beat the Hillsboro Hops 10-9.

Standings

As a result, the win flipped the Eugene Emeralds past Everett who lost tonight.  The Ems are now at the top of the High A West by a half game.  However, the loss dropped the Hillsboro Hops to six and a half games below Eugene and remain in fourth place.  Above all, The Ems are on a three game winning streak.  On the other hand, it is at the expense of the Hops three game losing streak.

Consequently, both teams meet again on Friday night at PK Park for the fourth game of the six game series.  Also, you can watch it on MiLB.tv or listen to it on 620 AM radio.  After that, be sure to look for my game recap the next morning right here on Minor League Sports Report.

Meanwhile, catch my look back at week six in the Hillsboro Hops 2021 season.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker