The Tri-City Dust Devils scored two runs for the second night in a row but that is where the similarity ends as the Hillsboro Hops scored six runs to win, 6-2, instead of the big blank they got last night.

Behind 2-0 in the top of the sixth, the Hops scored three runs to take the lead and not let go. Chad Oberaker led off with a double and was joined on the bases when Marcus Wilson walked. That was followed by a two run triple to deep center by Ramon Hernandez. A wild pitch by Dust Devil Braxton Lorenzini allowed Hernandez to scoot home with what would be the winning run.

The Hops added two more in the next inning to swell the lead to 5-2. Connor Owings started off with a walk and stole second before taking third on a passed ball by Tri City catcher Kyle Overstreet. Then, Mark Karaviotis walked to put runners at the corners. That was enough to bring in Dalton Erb to relieve Braxton Lorenzini on the mound. With two runners on base, Adam Walton bunted back to the pitcher who threw it past the first baseman. The error allowed both runners to score and left Walton on third. Walton was credited with an infield single on the play.

One last run was added in the top of the ninth when Connor Owings scored from third on a passed ball by Kyle Overstreet.

To combine with the Hops bats were the Hops pitching shutting down the Dust Devils. Five Hops pitchers combined for the outing. Starter Trevor Sims lasted until the fifth when he was pulled with the bases loaded and one out after one run had scored. Colin Poche (W, 1-1) came on to shut down Tri City with a strike out and a pop up to end the inning. Poche went on to pitch the sixth, earning the win. Including Poche, Curtis Taylor, Jordan Watson and Jake Winston silenced the Dust Devils as Tri City went hitless the rest of the night.

The Hops bats woke up in the sixth but were still active beforehand. Mark Karaviotis went 2 for 2 and scored once. Chad Oberaker went 2 for 4, scored once and doubled. Ramon Hernandez had a two run triple to tie the game. Connor Owings went 1 for 3 and scored twice. Adam Walton went 1 for 3 and singled in two runs.

Joey Lucchesi started for Tri City and went three innings allowing only two hits and striking out four but was left with a no decision on the night. Braxton Lorenzin (L, 1-2) was on the mound for the next three innings and five runs (three earned) on two hits crossed the plate. Amidst all of that action, Lorenzini struck out six batters but was still credited for the loss. Dalton Erb pitched the seventh allowing only one hit. Chasen Ford took the mound in the ninth allowed the last Hops run on two hits.

Tri-City managed only four hits on the night but scored two runs. No Dust Devil batter had more than one hit. Buddy Reed singled to left and scored on Chris Baker’s double for the first score of the game. In the next inning, Boomer White reached base after being hit by a pitch and moved to second on Nate Easley’s single. White reached third when Chris Mattison walked to load the bases with no outs. After a pop up, White came home on Taylor Kohwey’s RBI single. That was when Colin Poche took the mound and silenced the Dust Devils with two more outs.

The Hillsboro Hops (18-18) remain eight games back of Eugene and two games ahead of Salem-Keizer for second place with two games remaining. The Tri City Dust Devils (18-18) fell into a first place tie with Spokane. With Everett one game behind and Vancouver two games behind with two games left, all four teams remain in contention for the first half crown.

The Hops lead the five game series 2-1 and both team will continue Sunday evening in GESA Stadium at 7:15.

Boxscore

Photography by Portland Oregon Photographer Craig MItchelldyer
www.craigmitchelldyer.com
503.513.0550

by Greg Stoker
@GDStoker