Hillsboro Hops Errors Leads to Eugene Emeralds Victory, 10-4
The Hillsboro Hops tried to keep up but the Eugene Emeralds were just too much tonight, with the Emeralds winning 10-4. The Hops were able to take the first lead and played in catch up mode the rest of the way.
The Emeralds’ bats were everywhere tonight as all nine batters had a hit at least once. Even more amazing is that all nine Emeralds’ batters also scored at least once in the game. Six of the nine batters earned an RBI. Ian Rice had the best line of the night going 2 for 4, scoring twice, had two RBIs and homered. Donnie Deweese and Eloy Jimenez both went 2 for 5 and scored once. Deweese threw in an RBI as well. Blake Headley also went 2 for 4 and scored a run.
The Hops batters managed to get only five hits but turned them into four runs. All hits beside Luis Veras’ double were singles. Veras scored a run and smacked two RBI. Alexis Olmeda went 2 for 4 and scored a run.
Carson Sands started for the Emeralds and went six innings before being pulled with the score at 6-2 in favor of Eugene. Sands (3-4) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits for the win. Tyler Peitzmeier and Scott Frazier cleaned up most of the last three innings to keep the Hops scoreless and hitless.
Cody Reed started for the Hops and lasted until the fifth inning before being pulled for the loss. Reed left the game with the score at 6-2. Only two of those runs were earned. The true story of the night lay in the five errors the Hops defense would commit including three by stellar infielder Sergio Alcantara who was uncharacteristic tonight.
Will Landsheft, Tucker Ward and Taylor Clarke combined for three innings of scoreless one hit relief. It was Justin Donatella who pitched a little over an inning in the sixth and seventh who allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits that saw the score grow to 10-4.
The Hops (18-14) had dominated the series taking the first two games and crawled into a first place tie with the Emeralds in the South Division. With the Emeralds taking the final game of the three game series, Eugene (19-13) managed to salvage a win and take the lead again, if only by one game. There are six games left in the second half of the season. With the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes only three games behind Eugene and two games behind Hillsboro, the second half is still not close to being over. Boise remains eligible being five games behind the division leader.
Credit to the Hops: Hillsboro has already claimed a playoff spot by winning the first half and could have easily rested on their accomplishments. But the Hops are still in the battle to take the second half as well. It is not unprecedented. Last year, in 2014, the Hops did win both halves of the season and they still intend to do it this year.
Both teams will have Monday off for a day of rest. On Tuesday, the Hops stay on the road to face the Boise Hawks in a three game series before coming home to end the season with a three game series against the Eugene Emeralds. The Emeralds have finished their last home game of the year and will finish the season on the road. Eugene will play the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes for three games and then move over to Hillsboro for a three game series which could easily determine the winner of the second half.
By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker