The Ricky Martinez grab will be talked about for quite a while.  With two runners in scoring position and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the play was set up for an exciting victory.  But, the question remained: which team would get the win? The answer would be the Hillsboro Hops over the Boise Hawks 3-1.

It all happened when Yorvis Torrealba lined a shot that headed to left field down the foul line.  The crack of wood on the ball became the sound of leather popping to rob the home team of the win. Just like that, before anyone could think, the moment disappeared, replaced by the transfer of winning from the offense to the defense.

Hops Take Lead

As with all good stories, scoring and comebacks led to the climax.  In a desert full of zeros on the scoreboard, the three-run inning in the second by the Hops, stood out like an oasis.  Back to back doubles by Lyle Lin and Daniel Wasinger followed a Jesus Marriaga single to account for the first two runs.  Nick Grande’s sacrifice fly scored Wasinger for the third.

The second inning contained three of the Hops five hits on the night.  In the fifth, Andy Yerzy’s two-out single preceded Kristian Robinson’s double, the third of the night for the visiting team.  No Hop made it home. For the rest of the game, no one else hit safely.

Wheels Fell Off

The three run deficit to the home team set up the comeback.  The Hops entered the bottom of the third knowing they only needed three outs to win the first game of the three game series.  It is never easy.

Eduardo Herrera took the mound.  After a difficult struggle, Herrera found himself with the bases loaded and two outs due in part to walking three batters. That would be all for Herrera. In stepped Bryan Menendez, uncorking a wild pitch.  The result was the Hawks first run coming home and the other two runners advancing one base putting the tying run on second.

Early Strangehold

Up until that point, the Hops pitching had kept Boise scoreless.  Andrew Saalfrank started the game going one inning on limited pitches setting the standard with one hit and no score.  Michel Gelabert relieved in the second and stayed on the mound through the eighth. During his tenure, Gelabert held the Hawks to four hit with no runs.  Part of his control came in the form of six strikeouts.

However, all of that did not help in the ninth.  For example, Yorvis Torrealba swung and sent the game winner down the left field line.  But, the Ricky Martinez grab stole victory away and turned the game winning hit into the game ending out.

Michel Gelabert (W, 3-1) earned the victory with seven stirling innings.  With the help of Martinez, Bryan Menendez (S, 1) grabbed the save. In addition, Will Ethridge (L, 0-1) started and went two innings, giving up the Hops three runs for the loss.

Standings

As a result, the win helped the Hillsboro Hops (17-10) close one game on the Southern Division leading Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.  Also, the loss dropped the Boise Hawks (13-14) to four games back of the Hops.

Consequently, both team returns to Memorial Stadium in Boise for game two of the three game series.  Furthermore, Breiling Eusebio (1-1) is scheduled to take the mound for Boise. In his last appearance on July fifth, Breiling went five innings allowing three runs on eight hits in earning his first win of the season.

Meanwhile, the Hops Marcos Tineo (1-2) is scheduled to start for Hillsboro.  Tineo’s last appearance on Saturday went four innings allowing two runs on five hits for his second loss of the season.

For future game results, stay with Minor League Sports Report for more game recaps of the Hillsboro Hops.  In addition, follow me on Twitter for half inning updates on home games throughout the season.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker