Dominic Canzone picked tonight to smash his first home run as a Hop.  With the score already 1-0, Canzone’s three-run blast set the tone for what was to come.  It took the home team just three innings to notch nine runs and those innings came early. By the fourth inning, the Hillsboro Hops scored nine runs and the Tri City Dust Devils on the way to a 9-1 loss.

Hops Pitching Fire

Drey Jameson, who is still on a limited pitch count, put in two sparkling innings allowing just two hits.  Jameson set the pattern for the bullpen to follow. Cody Reed (W, 1-0) followed Drey for a couple of innings of his own.  Older fans may remember Reed from 2015 when he first pitched for the Hops. The native Alabamian started 14 games for The Hops on his way to making it to the advanced A Visalia Rawhide for the last three years.  He is back with the Hops for a medical rehab stay and is expected to return to Visalia soon. Allowing one hit and no runs over his two innings showed his returning to form.

Erin Baldwin became the workhorse for the Hops.  He stayed the course for four full innings giving up only two hits which seemed to be the pattern for the night.  Jake Polancic closed the ninth also allowing two hits with no runs. Ignacio Feliz (L, 2-3) surrendered the Hops first run for the loss.

Bats Came Alive

After suffering through a shut-out the night before, the Hops bats were more than ready to make up for lost opportunities.  The first inning proved to be no more than a warm up batting practice until the batters were ready in the second. And, ready they were.

The second started off with an innocent walk by Jesus Marriaga.  Liover Peguero and Andy Yerzy followed with back-to-back singles to score Marriaga and set up two runners on the bases for Dominic Canzone.  The left fielder, in eight games, produced only a double for an extra base hit to that point. Without foreshadowing or warning, Canzone ripped a deep fly to right field for a three-run bagger that started the blow out.

Jesus Marriaga produced in  the third inning the same way – with a walk and a score.  Liover Peguero joined him with a single. By then, Canzone got into his routine only this time, it was a two-run double.  The third inning featured Jorge Barrosa doubling Ricky Martinez home. Tristin English gained base after being hit by a pitch.  Jesus Marriaga joined to load the bases by another walk. His third in three appearances. Peguero hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Barrosa.  Finally, a wild pitch brought Tristin English home.

Standings

The win kept the Hillsboro Hops (14-10 tied with the Eugene Emeralds, who also won tonight, on top of the Southern Division.  With the loss, the Tri City Dust Devils remain one game behind the Northern Division leading Spokane Indians.

Both teams return to Ron Tonkin Field Monday night at :05 PM for the third and final rubber match game with the winner taking the series.  Jason Reynolds (2-3) takes the mound for the Dust Devils. In his last appearance, Reynolds went three innings with no runs on one hit for the win.

Similarly, facing him for the Hops is Ryne Nelson (0-0).  In his last appearance, Nelson lasted three scoreless innings on two hits for the no decision.

Stay with the Minor League Sports Report for game recaps throughout the season.  Also, follow me on Twitter for half inning updates on all Hops home games.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker