Hillsboro Hops Even Series with Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, 8-0
The Hillsboro Hops came back to life and left no doubt Tuesday night, taking the second game of the first round series from the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 8-0, but also clearly took the momentum with it. The third and final game of the series will be Wednesday night at Ron Tonkin Field.
Carlos Hernandez (1-0) delivered even more than expected in his shutout victory. Hernandez struck out out 12 batters tying the Hops record for a game with 2014 Hops pitcher Anderson Placido. The 2015 NW League pitcher of the year pitched 6.1 innings allowing three Volcano hits. Kirby Bellow and Will Landsheft finished the game in hitless fashion and striking out four more for a team total of 16 strikeouts.
The Hops bats pounded the Volcanoes from the beginning to end. In the first, Zach Nehrir scored on a Trevor Mitsui single to left.
In the third, the Hops took advantage of S-K with four runs. Zach Nehrir scored on a bases loaded walk to Luis Veras. Grant Heyman scored on a Alexis Olmeda line drive to center. Trevor Mitsui scored on a bases loaded walk to Nate Irving. And finally, Luis Veras scored on a groundout by Nate Anderson.
In the fourth, Dansby Swanson scored from third on a Grant Heyman single to center. The last scoring of the night were two runs in the fifth with a two run Nate Robertson blast to left with Nate Irving aboard. Final score: 8-0.
Starter Grant Watson (0-1) pitched almost three innings for the Volcanoes getting the loss. Watson allowed three runs on five hits. Eric Sim and Domenic Mazza relieved Grant and were marked with five more runs on four hits. Armando Paniagua and Rayan Hernandez teamed up for the last three innings shutting the Hops down with only two hits.
The Volcanoes managed three hits for the night. Steven Duggar, Miguel Gomez and Dillon Dobson all hit singles. Three of the Volcanoes struck out three times while another three struck out twice.
The Hops bats exploded with 11 hits. Grant Heyman went 3 for 5, scored a run and had an RBI. Trevor Mitsui and Nate Robertson both went 2 for 4 and scored a run. With Robertson’s two run blast, Nate was responsible for three RBIs. Zach Nehrir went 2 for 5 and scored twice. Nate’s homer was the only extra base hit for the Hops. It seemed familiar territory for Robertson as his bat was instrumental in the Hops winning the 2014 NW League championship last year.
Notes: The Tri-City Dust Devils beat the Everett Aquasox 4-2 tonight in the other series. The Dust Devils swept their opponent in two straight games and will face the winner of the South Division series for the NW League championship trophy. The winner of the South will be determined Wednesday night. Tyler Bolton will start for the Hillsboro Hops and Logan Webb will start for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. The winner goes on to face the Tri City Dust Devils and the loser will go home. Tickets are on sale at the box office and at hillsborohops.com.
By Greg Stoker
@GDstoker
