Ronny Simon homer started the scoring for the game and the Hops never looked back.  Starter Collin Sullivan (W, 2-2) evened his record for the win.  The Hillsboro Hops take the first game of the series with the Vancouver Canadians 7-4.

Wood on the Ball

Dividing the game into thirds, the first third looked like the Hops would never get off the ground.  Those first three innings featured nine Hops batters and nine Hops outs.  The only consolation was that they were getting wood on the ball.  Not one Hop struck out until the fifth inning and by then, the Hops led the game 4-0.

The middle third of the game featured the most runs for both teams.  By the end of the sixth, the score read 6-4.  By inning, both teams scored four runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth.  Only one more run would come in the ninth inning.

Ronny Simon Homer Starts Scoring

The highlight of the mid-game was the Hops batting around the order in the fourth.  Jorge Barrosa led off the inning for the Hops by getting on base after being hit by a pitch.  Ronny Simon quickly took advantage of the potential RBI on base by slugging the game’s only home run out of the Tonk.  With bases cleared, Blaze Alexander followed with his third triple of the season.  Tristin English brought him home with his RBI single.

The Hops came close again before the inning ended when Nick Dalesandro singled and then moved to third on Leodany Perez’ double.  Ironically, after sending the minimum nine batters to the plate in innings 1-3, the Hops doubled that by sending all nine batters to the plate in the fourth.  The Hops added two more in the sixth when AJ Vukovich reached first by striking out on a wild pitch.  Axel Andueza followed with a single that resulted in a throwing error by shortstop Addison Barger, allowing both runners to score.

Bouncing Between Two- and Four- Run Leads

Vacillating between two and four runs behind the Hops, the Canadians scored twice in the fifth and sixth.  Firstly, Barger led off with a double and scored on Trevor Schwecke’s RBI single.  Trevor scored on Zac Cook’s sac fly.  Secondly, in the sixth, Will Robertson led off with a single and scored on Barger’s RBI single.  Barger then scored on Schwecke’s RBI ground out to third.

Last Series With Vancouver featured Ronny Simon Homer as He Neared a Cycle

The final score, by the Hops in the top of the ninth, featured a walk and a double before a wild pitch allowed Elian Miranda to score the game’s final run.

Collin Sullivan Earns Win, Evens Record

The Hops’ starting pitcher, Collin Sullivan, is quickly finding his groove after a slow start to go five innings and allowed only two runs on three hits.  His three strikeouts spread out over the first three innings helped keep the Canadians under control.  Collin did not allow a run or a hit until the fifth inning.  Collin won his previous game against the Emeralds 7-2.

Middle reliever Austin Pope quickly gave up two runs in his first inning and then settled down to retire his last five batters, including two who struck out.  Closer Liu Fuenmayor (S, 3) earned his third save with some high heat and retired all six batters faced including four of the on K’s.

Kloffenstein Allows Ronny Simon Homer

Vancouver starter Adam Kloffenstein (L, 7-7) went through 84 pitches over six innings for the loss.  Before the Hops erupted in the fourth, Kloffenstein proved difficult to hit cleanly.  Along with a strikeout and a fly out to right, Adam kept the ball on the ground with seven ground outs.  Justin Maese pitched two scoreless innings on one hit.  Closer Thomas Ruwe allowed the Hops’ last run.

Standings

The win drew the Hillsboro Hops (49-59) to one and a half games behind the Vancouver Canadians (54-61) with five games left to play.  Subsequently, the two teams play game#2 on Wednesday.  You can listen to the game on 620 AM radio or buy a ticket and go to the road game in Hillsboro.

Note: due to last week being canceled between the Hillsboro Hops and the Tri City Dust Devils, the Hops can no longer achieve a .500 record.  The win also clinched at least fifth place while the Dust Devils clinched sixth.  The top three teams (Eugene, Spokane and Everett) are still fighting it out for the top three spots.  In addition, the only other race is between the Hops and Vancouver for fourth place.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker