Six-run romp helped the Hillsboro Hops break open a close game in the fourth inning against the Everett Aquasox.  The Aquasox led 1-0 before the Hops exploded and the game eventually ended after three and a half hours with the score Hops, 7, Aquasox 2.  But, on the way, the Hops tied a record that stands 47 years and counting.

Stealing a Record

The Portland Mavericks stepped back into the current day consciousness when one of their all-time records was threatened by the Hillsboro Hops.  Back in 1974, the Mavericks stole eleven bases to set the record for most steals by one team in a game in the NW League.  It stood alone for 47 years.  Until tonight when the Hops pulled off the same feat.

Half of the team steals came in the fourth inning when the Hops took control.

With two outs, four Hops hit consecutive singles and stole at least one base.  Leodany Perez stole second and scored on Nick Dalesandro’s RBI single.  Nick stole second and third, then scored on Tra Holmes RBI single.  Tra stole third while Cam Coursey singled and stole second.  Both runners came home on Dom Canzone’s two-RBI triple.  Oh, and the first single to start it off was also an RBI single when Perez drove home Ricky Perez.

When the inning finished, the Hops scored a six-run romp and led 6-1.  Both teams added one more run each.  Coursey doubled and scored on Andueza’s RBI single in the sixth for Hillsboro.  Connor Hoover tripled and scored on a wild pitch from Hunter Haworth for the Aquasox.

Chilly Night

At first, the temperature seemed to chill the ball as both teams had difficulty getting out of the infield.  If a batter flew one to the outfield, the dense, chilled air seemed to slow the ball from leaving the park.  There were no dingers tonight.  Just a temperature in the 50’s and frozen ropes for pitches and line drives.

However, the cold air seemed to give the advantage to the mound as the K’s mounted up faster than penguins falling off a cliff.  Hops’ starting pitcher blew five strikeouts in the first and third innings alone.  The Aquasox’s starting pitcher, George Kirby, struck out the Hops side during the second.  But, Kirby ended up on the hot seat when he gave up two of the four consecutive RBI singles.

Raul Alcantara came in to replace Kirby and try to put out the fire.  Alcantara gave up two more consecutive RBI singles before he could stop the slow burn.  The problem?  The singles stopped only when he walked Blaze Alexander.  Then, Alexander scored next  on Dom Canzone’s two RBI triple.  Finally, the seventh batter after the second out flew out to right to end the six-run romp.

Six-Run Romp Medicine

Memories should only last 24 hours before they get in the way of tomorrow.  The six-run romp turned out to be the best medicine.  24 hours before, the Hops suffered a similar fate to the Aquasox.  The previous night, the Hops struck first with a 1-0 lead only to watch Everett score eight runs two innings later.  Now, the Hops not only got even, they evened the series at two games apiece.

Six-Run Romp – Enjoy It Tonight…

Hillsboro:

Hunter Haworth (W, 1-0) relieved starter Drey Jameson in the top of the fourth, just before the Hops took the lead with their six-run romp in the bottom of the inning, earning the win.  Blake Workman (S, 1) worked the last three innings of the game for the save.

Leodany Perez and Nick Dalesandro stole four bases each.  Perez, Dalasandro, Cam Coursey, Dom Canzone and Alex Andueza smacked two hits apiece.  Coursey iced a double and Canzone cracked a triple.

Everett:

George Kirby (L, 0-1) suffered through the first part of the fourth inning barrage to earn the loss for Everett Aquasox.

Jack Larsen went 3 for 4 and Everett’s lone RBI.  Hoover went 2 for 4 and scored the team’s second run. Austin Shenton went 1 for 3 and scored their first run, giving Everett their only lead of the night.

The win drew the Hillsboro Hops (2-2) into a tie with the Everett Aquasox (2-2)  Eugene still tops the leader board 4-0.

…For Tomorrow’s Another Day

Game five is tomorrow night at 6:35 PM.  The six game series is tied at 2-2.  Matt Tabor will take the mound for the Hops.  Juan Then will pitch for the Aquasox.  You can follow me on Twitter (@GDStoker) for half inning updates and remember to read the recap the following morning.

In the meantime, in honor of the Portland Mavericks, read my column from a few years ago about the history of the original Mavericks and why they are known as the Battered Bastards of Baseball.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker