The Boise Hawks hit hard and fast to put the Hillsboro Hops behind the count from the start. The Hops managed to score a run in the eighth for a final score of 7-1 in the loss.

The Hawks did most of their damage in the second inning. To start off the inning, Terry McClure lined over the reaching glove of second baseman Galli Cribbs, Jr., for a single. Scott Burcham followed with another single lined deep down the third base line. Burcham took second after McClure slid safely under the tag at third. Nate Causey hit a ground rule double over the right center field fence to score both runners.

Before the inning was over, Marcos Derkes slammed a triple to the right center field gap to score Causey and Wilkyns Jimenez, who had walked to get on base. Eight men were sent to the plate.

The Hawks added one more insurance run in the fifth mostly behind Jensen Park’s base running skill. Park hit a strong liner to left field for a single. With Marcos Derkes at the plate, Park stole second ahead of the throw. Derkes moved Park over to third with a sacrifice to center field. A wild pitch by Tyler Mark gave Park the chance to score.

The Hops score started when Stephen Dezzi nailed a sharp liner over the head of left fielder Jensen Park and to the warning track for a stand up double. With Joey Armstrong at the plate, a wild pitch by Ryan McCormick sent Dezzi to third. After Armstrong walked on a full count to put runners at the corners, Dansby Swanson sent his first pitch down the first base line for a stand up double and brought home Dezzi for the lone Hops run of the night.

Dylan Craig started for the Hawks going three innings allowing two hits and no runs, striking out three. It was Ryan McCormick (1-1) who earned the win pitching five innings, allowing the lone Hops run in the eighth with three hits and seven strike outs.

Tyler Mark took the loss pitching the first 4.2 innings for the Hops. Mark allowed five runs on six hits. Jeferson Mejia pitched the last three innings allowing two runs on two hits.

Nate Causey led the Hawks bats going 2 for 3, scoring a run and three RBI. Jensen Park went 2 for 5 and scored a run. Marcos Derkes brought in two runs off his triple.

The Hops only managed five hits for the game. Dansby Swanson went 2 for 4 and brought home the lone run. Both of Swanson’s hits were doubles as he continues to provide power to the line up. Of Swanson’s seven hits since coming to the Hops, four are doubles, one triple and one homer for a slugging percentage of .484.

The Hillsboro Hops (13-10) fell to one game behind the Eugene Emeralds for the South Division lead. The Boise Hawks (8-15) maintained their six game deficit behind the Emeralds.

The Hawks took the second game to lead the series 2-0 over the Hops. Both teams will play the third and final game Saturday evening.

Boxscore Provided by MiLB.com

Short Hops: Tonight was Neil Everett bobblehead night. ESPN’s Everett was honored as a local Oregon Duck graduate.

By Greg Stoker