Hillsboro Hops Leave Spokane Indians behind 9-0
It was no contest Saturday night, as the Hillsboro Hops blanked the Spokane Indians, 9-0.
The winning run was in the first inning but there were many more to follow. With one out, Fernery Ozuna lined a single over the outstretched glove of second baseman Leon Byrd. Stephen Dezzi came to the plate. Ozuna stole second, beating the throw. Dezzi ended up walking on four straight pitches. With Trevor Mitsui at the plate, both runners went for the double steal. Catcher Sherman Lacrus got the throw to second in time to catch Dezzi while Ozuna scooted over to third. Mitsui’s single to shallow center scored Ozuna.
Cody Reed (3-1) started for the Hops and threw six innings of scoreless baseball on three hits with eight strike outs for the win. For the Indians, Cole Wiper (0-1) started and pitched the first three innings for the loss. Wiper allowed four runs (two were earned) on six hits, with three walks and one strike out.
The Hops barrage started in the second inning with three more runs. Zach Nehrir lined a double down the left field line that landed inches away from the foul line. Nehrir made it to second standing up. Fernery Ozuna followed with a stand up double of his own scoring Nehrir. This time, Ozuna sent a line drive down the right side foul line. Stephen Dezzi grounded to second baseman Leon Byrd on what should have been a routine ground out. Byrd threw past first baseman Connor McKay. Ozuna came home on the error and Dezzi took second. Trevor Mitsui singled to the right center field gap and Dezzi hustled home for the third score of the inning.
The Barrage continued with three more runs in the fifth. Trevor Mitsui led off with a full count walk. Luis Veras slapped a grounder through the right side gap to move Mitsui to second. Nate Robertson grounded to shortstop Dylan Moore, who was able to get the lead runner, Mitsui. Nate Irving walked on a full count to load the bases. Sergio Alcantara looped a single over third baseman Dean Long and down the left field line. Veras and Robertson scored while Irving moved over to second.
The final score of the inning was a bit curious. Zach Nehrir hit a deep grounder to the first baseman Connor McKay. When he looked up with throw ready, no one had reached first base in time to cover. In the confusion, Nate Irving was heading home from second. The throw was not in time and three runs scored in the inning making it 6-0 Hops.
The final scoring was two runs in the seventh. Luis Veras hit a long ball over the left fielder Doug Votolato’s head and to the fence for a stand up double. Nate Robertson singled to shallow left center moving Veras over to third. Nate Irving was hit by a pitch from Dario Beltre to load the bases. Sergio Alcantara singled to left field to bring home Veras and Robertson for the final score of 9-0.
For the Hops, Zach Nehrir went 3 for 4 scoring a run and notching an RBI. Trevor Mitsui, Luis Veras and Sergio Alcantara went 2 for 4. Mitsui had two RBI. Veras scored two runs. Alcantara had four RBI. Fernery Ozuna went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
For the Indians, Doug Votolato went 1 for 3.
The Hillsboro Hops (14-10) moved into a first place tie with the Eugene Emeralds for the South Division lead. The Spokane Indians (12-12) dropped three games behind the Everett Aquasox for the North Division lead.
Both teams will continue Sunday evening in the fourth game of the five game series. The Hops lead the Indians 3-0.
by Greg Stoker
