The Spokane Indians took the five-game series with a 6-3 win over the visiting Hillsboro Hops.  A two-run homer to left by Andretty Cordero in the bottom of the third inning gave the lead to the home town team.  Cordero’s sixth homer of the season vaulted him into the league lead.  He was also instrumental for the two insurance runs in the fifth.  Cordero doubled home Chad Smith and scored on a Melvin Novoa RBI single.

Hillsboro took the first lead in the second on a Drew Ellis solo shot only to be matched by Spokane in the bottom of the inning when Kole Enright scored on a fielding error by left fielder Yan Sanchez.  The game went back and forth until the Indians’ three-run fifth.

The Hops scored two runs in the third to take the lead back only to lose it again in the bottom of the inning.  Tim Susnara walked and came home on Yan Sanchez’ RBI single.  Stephen Smith followed with a walk and scored off of Pavin Smith’s RBI single.  That led to the Indians’ Andretty Cordero’s lead-taking two run homer minutes later.

Hops batting was below their standard of the past few days.  After having two games with 25 and 15 hits apiece, it was understandable that the Hops might fall back to Earth.  Their seven hits were spread out over the game.  Pavin Smith led the team with the only multi-hit game of the night for the Hops, going 2 for 5 with an RBI.  The only extra base hits were Drew Ellis’ solo homer in the second and Camden Duzenack’s ninth inning double with two outs and no one on base.

Drew Ellis was on his way for a good night.  But, after going 1 for 2, Drew was tossed by home plate umpire Mitch Wilson for arguing a called strike in the sixth inning.  Billy Endris was sent in to replace Ellis but took left field sending Yan Sanchez to third on a defensive switch.

Cole Ragans (W, 1-0) started and went six innings for the Indians and the win.  Josh Advocate (S, 1) closed out the final three innings holding the Hops scoreless on three hits for the save.

Starter Connor Grey (L, 3-2) gave up four runs on three hits and two walks for the loss.

The Hillsboro Hops’ (14-12) loss coupled with the loss by co-leader Eugene Emeralds and the win by the Boise Hawks has made a three-way tie for first place in the Southern Division.  The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes make it a tight race being only two-game behind the triumvirate.

The win helped the Spokane Indians (10-16) gain another game on Northern Division leader Vancouver Canadians.  The Canadians have lost three in a row and are now only six games ahead of Spokane.

The league will take a one-day break for the Major League All-Star Game being played today.  The league will resume play on Wednesday.  Spokane will travel to Vancouver to play the division leading Canadians in a three-game series.

Wednesday, the Hops will return home to face one of their co-leaders, Eugene, in a three-game series.  The night will be a Zac Curtis bobblehead night and the collectible will be given to the first 1500 fans in attendance.  The bobblehead honors Zac who was the first Hops player to make his major league debut with the parent club Arizona DIamondbacks.

Expected starter for the Hops will be RHP Riley Smith.  The starter for the Emeralds has yet to be determined.  Game time is 7:05 pm.

Boxscore

by Greg Stoker
@GDStoker