An eighth inning two-run homer by Hillsboro Hops Josh Anderson with Jake Peevyhouse on base was the play of the game. The Hops were behind 2-1 until that shot. Afterwards, the Hops held the lead over the Boise Hawks to win 3-2.

Tyler Bolton started for the Hops and pitched seven quality innings. Bolton allowed both of the Hawks runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out four. On a night of low scoring, it would not prove enough for the win. Jeferson Mejia (5-3) came on in the eighth and held the Hawks to one hit, one walk and one strike out for the win. Brody Greer (S-1) pitched the final inning for the save. Greer Allowed one hit with a walk.

For the Hawks, Javier Palacios pitched the first six innings giving up one run on six hits with three strikeouts. Like his counterpart, it would not be enough for a decision. After a perfect inning for Craig Schlitter in the seventh, Justin Lawrence came on to pitch what would be the last inning for the Hops.

Jake Peevyhouse walked on four straight pitches to start the eighth for the Hops. With Fernery Ozuna at the plate, Justin Lawrence tried to pick off Peevyhouse. The throw went wild and Jake went to second. Alexis Olmeda chopped a grounder off of Lawrence’s glove for a 4-3 groundout letting Peevyhouse take third base on the throw. With the tying run 90-feet away, Josh Anderson smacked a long line drive over the left center field fence giving the Hops the lead, 3-2.

The Hops scored first in the fourth when Alexis Olmeda and Trevor Mitsui hit back-to-back doubles for the game’s first score.

The Hawks followed with a run in the fifth and sixth to take the lead. Carlos Herrera started the fifth with a bloop double to left field. Herrera went to third when Eric Toole chopped back to the mound for the easy throw to first. A wild pitch by Tyler Bolton allowed Herrera home for the tying run.

The go-ahead run started with Brian Mundell being hit by a pitch from Tyler Bolton. Hamlet Marte sliced one down the third base line for a double and sent Mundell over to third. The throw from left fielder Luis Veras bounced before reaching second base and flipped towards the mound. Mundell rushed home for the score with no throw at the plate. The Hawks were ahead 2-1 setting up the heroics of Josh Anderson in the eighth.

Trevor Mitsui went 2 for 4 with a RBI for the Hops. Josh Anderson hit the eighth inning home run with two RBI and scored a run. Alexis Olmeda score the other run.

For the Hawks, Carlos Herrera was tough at the plate going 3 for 5 and scored a run. Brian Mundell went 1 for 3 and scored the other run. Both runs were unearned.

The Hawks left ten men on base on a night where runs were precious. The bottom four of the order went 0 for 14 with two walks. The top five of the order went 8 for 20 with two runs.

B.J. Lopez made his Hops debut tonight going 1 for 3 and catching the entire game. He was signed as a free agent in August 2012. He came from the Arizona League Diamondbacks to replace Jose Queliz who had been promoted to Class A Advanced Visalia Rawhide. Lopez is 20 years old and is originally from Puerto Rico. He went to high school in New York and lives in Brooklyn during the offseason.

The Hillsboro Hops (5-4) moved into second place but remain two games behind division leader Salem-Keizer. The Boise Hawks (3-6) fell to four games behind the top of the division. Both teams will finish their three game series Saturday night. The Hops lead 2-0.

Boxscore Provided by MiLB.com

by Greg Stoker
@GDStoker