Ezequial Tovar was productive every time he came to the plate.  But, in order to finally get past the Hops, it was his last late appearance that mattered most.  With two outs and a new pitcher, Mailon Arroyo (BS, 4), on the mound and bases loaded, Ezekiel Tovar doubled and cleared the bases for a two run lead.  The Spokane Indians went on to defeat the Hillsboro Hops 8-6.

Since this was the first game of a double header, only seven innings were needed for a complete game.  Therefore, Tovar’s heroics in the sixth was late enough to be considered “late heroics”.  But, his heroics actually started in the fifth.

Ezequial Tovar Busy

Before that, Tovar was busy, going 3 for 3 on the night.  Ezequial warmed up with a single in the first.  In the third, a sacrifice bunt moved Jack Blomgren to second.  A two run homer in the fifth began the heroics and also brought Blomgren home.  Then, Tovar’s base clearing double capped off the five RBI performance.

Teammates Join Ezequial Tovar in Blasting Hops

Tovar was not alone.  Jack Blomgren scored twice with Tovar’s help and went 3 for 4 on the night.  Brenton Doyle sent a solo shot out in the fourth.  He also singled and was the first runner to cross the plate when Tovar cleared the bases.  You can almost add the entire team.  Hunter Stovall singled and scored in the first.  Grant Lavigne reached base on an error and scored ahead of Tovar’s sixth inning double.  Austin Bernard walked and was the second runner to cross the plate in the sixth.  And finally, Aaron Schunk, who was last night’s hero, brought home Lavigne with his sacrifice fly.

Hops Singled Out

The Hops had twelve hits in the game.  All singles.  Jorge Barrosa, lead-off man for the Hops, went 4 for 5.  Jorge singled his first four plate appearances.  He scored twice, stranded at second and first to become a well-traveled man.  Axel Andueza also impressed, going 3 for 4, and scoring three times.  He also singled home Barrosa for the game’s first run.

Jared Biddy Escapes With Zero

With that much offense, you need pitchers getting knocked around on the mound.  Both sides had their share of suffering through a batter’s night.  The Indians’ Jared Biddy was the only pitcher to survive the game without giving up a run,  He was book-ended by Peter Lambert and Helcris Olivares (W, 4-8) who both gave up three runs apiece.

Despite the balls knocked around by the Indians, the Hops only used two pitchers in the game.  Justin Vernia started for the Hops and gave up seven runs in almost six full innings.  But, only three of them earned as the Hops defense committed three errors on the night.  That accounted for four runs that shouldn’t be.  Take away the errors and the Hops win 6-4.  Instead, their losing streak now stretches to seven games.

Mailon Arroyo Meets Bad Timing and Ezequial Tovar

Mailon Arroyo was the second pitcher and closer.  He came in when Vernia almost had a complete game.  He was brought in to get the last out in the sixth.  However, Arroyo experienced bad luck.   Mailon gave up the bases-clearing double to Ezequial Tovar, before that final out.

Standings

Full standings are with the second game recap later tonight.  For now, the streaks continue.  The Hops losing streak grows to seven and the Indians winning streak is now eight games.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker