Logan Wyatt, Volcanoes Beat Hillsboro Hops 3-2

Greg Stoker August 9, 2019

Hillsboro Hops lose a tight game to the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 3-2 on the first night back to regular action from the All-Star Game. With two returning All-Stars, the hero of the game turned out to be someone not invited to the mid-season classic. Logan Wyatt smacked two hits and knocked three RBIs across the plate.

Logan Wyatt vs Tristin English

Tristin English gave a worthy counterpoint to Logan Wyatt in the box score and on the field. Both were responsible for their team’s first run of the game. The difference was that only Logan Wyatt was responsible for his team’s last run.

In fact, Wyatt brought every run home for his team. Either with a solo shot out of the park in the fourth inning or Wyatt’s two-run single in the next inning, Logan was a part of all scoring for the Volcanoes. Harrison Freed also swatted a couple of hits along with a single by Tyler Fitzgerald. But, with only five hits in the game, a team either needs power hitting like Wyatt’s fourth inning homer or you need to load up the bases.

That’s exactly what happened for Logan Wyatt in the fifth when Hops’ pitchers Sam Lewis and Andrew Saalfrank combined to walk the bases full. Saalfrank also struck out two Volcano batters so, when Wyatt came up to the plate next, it was set up for him to put his team ahead or for Lewis to get the final out and keep the opponent from scoring.

Wyatt decided to put his team ahead with a single to the right, scoring Brandon Martorano and Hunter Bishop to put their team up 3-1. An RBI single from the Hops’ new arrival, Dominic Canzone in the top of the seventh made the final score 3-2.

Jasier Herrera Sets Tone

Jasier Herrera (W, 0-1) started for the Volcanoes for five innings and limited the Hops to one run on four hits to earn the win. Bryce Tucker (S, 4) came in for the save in the ninth. Andrew Saalfrank (0-2) allowed all three Volcano runs in the midgame for the loss.

Standings

The loss dropped the Hillsboro Hops (10-4) a game in the standings but still remain in first place of the Southern Division, one game ahead of the Eugene Emeralds who are on a five game winning streak. The win helped the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (7-7) gain a game on the division leaders and are only three games back.

Both teams return tomorrow night, Friday, to Volcanoes Stadium for game two of the three game series at 6:35 PM. Hillsboro will start Ryne Nelson (0-0). In his last game, Nelson went 1.2 innings in the no decision allowing one run on one hit. The Volcanoes have yet to name their starter.

New Hellos, Old Good-Byes

There has been much roster movement for the NW League teams before and after the All-Star break. For the Hops, it proved to be radically changing.

Liover Peguero – 2 for 4, double
photo courtesy of Hillsboro Hops

Shortly after his All-Star appearance, SS Liover Peguerro (batted .364 for the Ospreys) earned his promotion to the Hops going 1 for 2 in the midsummer classic. LF Dominic Canzone (2019 8th rd, Ohio St.) also came up from the Missoula Osprey. Both made it into tonight’s game for Hillsboro. Eddie Hernandez returns to the Hops and takes over at designated hitter. Fans will remember Hernandez from earlier this season.

CF Corbin Carroll is the Arizona Diamondbacks top draft pick this year. The 16th overall pick is considered (arguably) the draft’s most advanced hitter. Carroll is also considered very speedy on the base paths. He stole 16 out of 17 bases. It is rare that someone fresh out of high school would make a short season A club like the Hops so quickly.

Old time fans may get to see a blast from the past when 2015 Hops Cody Reed makes an appearance while on injury rehab assignment. Reed was part of the 2015 NW League championship Hillsboro Hops.

Losing…

Favorites promoted and leave on their quest for the big leagues. David Garza now plays for the Kane County Cougars who recently got Kristian Robinson, Steven Leyton and Luis Frias. Also headed up to the next level are Nick Dalesandro, Michel Gelabert and Yaramil Hiraldo. MLSR wishes them the best of luck.

Stay with the Minor League Sports Report for game recaps and updates throughout the season. Follow me on Twitter for half inning updates on all Hillsboro Hops home games.