The Hillsboro Hops were unable to to do what they did last night and that was score a run. The Hops fell to the Everett Aquasox, 1-0.

To call it a pitcher’s duel would be an understatement. The lone run came in the top of the fourth for Everett when the Aquasox were able to put two hits together in one inning. They would only manage one other hit on the night. Eric Filia started off with a double to left and moved to third on a Nick Thurman line drive single to left field. A quick return to the infield kept Filia from scoring. Johan Quevedo stepped up to the plate and knocked the pitch back to the pitcher Trevor Simms who threw Quevedo out at first but allowed Filia to come home for the game’s only score. Johmbeyker Morales tapped the other Aquasox hit to lead off the eighth.

That was enough for Trevor Sims (2-2) to be saddled with the loss even though he pitched well for over three innings and only allowed that one run on two hits. The win went to Matthew Festa (2-2), who relieved for four well-controlled innings, allowed no runs on two hits. As well deserved as that performance was, starting pitcher Reggie McLain went him even better. McLain also went four innings, allowed only one hit and struck out ten batters. Marvin Gorgas (S, 2) came on in the ninth for the save.

Hops bats only managed four hits on the night. Surprisingly, that would be one better than the three hits by the Aquasox bats. Luke Lowry did his best in going 2 for 4. Lowry’s single in the second was the first hit of the game for either team. Connor Owings singled in the sixth and Anfernee Grier swatted his single in the ninth in one last attempt to get on the scoreboard. The only extra base hit on the night was Everett’s Eric Filia’s double in the run scoring fourth.

Bo Takahashi started for the Hops and kept Everett hitless until he was pulled in the third with two outs and runners on first and second. Kevin Ginkel and Colin Poche covered the last three innings allowing only one hit between them in what is becoming a dependable occurrence for both pitchers.

The Hillsboro Hops fell to six games back of the South Division leading Eugene and remain in second place. Their elimination number was reduced to a combination of three Hops losses or Emerald wins for the first half championship. The Everett Aquasox climbed into a three way tie for first in the north with Tri-City and Vancouver. Spokane is only one game behind the trifecta making it a tight race for the North Division.

The five game series ended with the Hops taking it 3-2. Everett won the front and back bookends while the Hops grabbed the middle three games.

Hillsboro will head down to the South leading Eugene Emeralds Monday night to attempt to make up for lost ground with a three game series. The last time these two teams met, Hillsboro took the series 2-1. Everett will head back home for a three game series with Tri-City.

Boxscore

by Greg Stoker
@GDStoker