The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes’ five run second inning evaporated the Hillsboro Hops 1-0 lead and held on for the win, 5-1. The second inning for the Volcanoes consisted of seven hits (three of them doubles), five runs and ten plate appearances. For the rest of the game, both pitching staffs kept the bats quiet for the most part and the home plate clean from runners.

The second inning started with Ryan Kirby’s ground rule double and four consecutive hits later, led 3-1. After a strike out, Ashford Fulmer started it all over again with a single in a string of three more hits and a 5-1 lead.

Matt Krook (W, 1-1) started and went into the sixth inning for the win. CJ Gettman took the mound in relief with two outs and the bases loaded. Gettman was able to get Ramon Hernandez to fly out to center to end the inning and all three runners left on base. Krook allowed the only Hops run on four hits and struck out five. Gettman finished the sixth and pitched the seventh striking out three. Jeff Burke pitched a hitless eighth and Patrick Ruotolo pitched a one hit ninth.

In all, the Hops managed five hits on the night. Marcus Wilson singled and scored his team leading 24^th run. Luke Lowery went 2 for 4 and batted in Wilson for the lone Hops run. Lowery, who went 4 for 4 on Friday and 2 for 4 on Saturday continued his hot streak totaling 8 for 12 over the last three days, raising his batting average to .261 after being only .221 three days earlier. He also raised his team leading hit total to 36 and his team leading RBI total to 19.

The Hops had only two other hits on the night. Ramon Hernandez doubled in the ninth in one last gasp to cross the plate but was left standing on second when the game ended one out later. Manny Jefferson singled in the third.

Junior Garcia (L, 1-1) started for the Hops and went five innings allowing all five runs on eight hits for the loss. All but one of those hits came in the fifth. Palmer Betts pitched the sixth allowing only one hit. Curtis Taylor pitched the seventh keeping the inning hitless. Colin Poche took the mound for the eighth and allowed two hits but never let them touch home. Finally, Jake Winston, recently names 2016 Hops All Star, took his customary ninth inning blanking the Volcanoes in hits and runs.

The Volcano bats pounded for eleven hits throughout the night. Ashford Fulmer, Ryan Kirby and Zack Bowers hit twice. Salem-Keizer had four doubles as eight of the nine starters hit safely.

With the loss, the Hillsboro Hops (4-2) maintained a one game lead over Boise. With the win, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (3-3) pulled with one game behind and a tie for second place with Boise.

Both teams will take Monday off, then obverse the All Star Game on Tuesday in Ogden Utah and then take Wednesday off before returning to action. The Hops will hit the road on Thursday for a five game series with the Everett Aquasox. The Volcanoes will come home for a five game series with the Spokane Indians.

Boxscore

By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker