The Hillsboro Hops slugged their way past the Everett Aquasox 11-4.  The game featured a combined 24 hits, seven errors, four wild pitches, three batters hit by a pitch, a balk and three home runs.  Add to that the fact that umpire Jordan Johnson was lost after the first inning.  The reason was unknown but he was seen limping off the field.  Umpire Justin Anderson remained to call the rest of the game solo.

What proved to be the winning run was scored by the Hops in the top of the fifth inning but it was the top of the seventh where the Hops scored five runs and put the game away. Nate Robertson started off with a solo home run to left field. Jeff Smith struck out but it was a wild pitch that went to the back stop allowing Smith to reach first safely. Fernery Ozuna grabbed an infield single that moved Smith to second. Stephen Dezzi came to the plate and runners advanced a base on a passed ball by catcher Arturo Nieto. Dezzi walked to load the bases. Luis Veras came to the plate and cleared the bases on a double to left field.  Dezzi scored in part due to a throwing error by third baseman Connor Hale  that also allowed Veras to reach third. Gerard Hernadez came to the plate and watched Veras score on a wild pitch.  In all, the Hops scored five runs scored on three hits, two wild pitches, a passed ball, an error and a hit batsman.

Jared Miller (4-0) went the first six innings for the Hops allowing two earned runs on eight hits with two walks and four strike outs to earn the win. Joey Donino (S-1) pitched the last three innings with three strike outs and no runs or hits to claim the save. Jose Santiago (0-1) started the first 4.2 innings for the Aquasox with four earned runs on eight hits with a walk and four strike outs to take the loss.

The Hops started the scoring in the first. With one out, Stephen Dezzi singled to center. While Dane McFarland batted, Dezzi took second on a balk by Jose Santiago. McFarland walked. With two outs, Hernadez singled to left scoring Dezzi. On a throwing error by left fielder Corey Simpson, McFarland also scored. Hops led (2-0).

In the bottom of the inning, the Aquasox answered back. Braden Bishop had an infield single to shortstop Fernery Ozuna. Jordan Cowan beat out a bunt down the third baseline that moved Bishop to second. Drew Jackson singled to center field and Bishop came home. On a throwing error by second baseman Jeff Smith, Cowan moved to third and D. Jackson to second. Arturo Nieto hit an infield single that scored Cowan. Game was tied 2-2.

In the top of the second the Hops re-took the lead. With two outs, Fernery Ozuna hit his second home run of the season to center field. Hops led 3-2.

The Aquasox would take the lead back in the bottom of the third. Corey Simpson accounted for the first run when he smacked a home run to left center field to start the inning. With two outs, Yordi Calderon reached base on a throwing error by shortstop Fernery Ozuna. When Connor Hale came to the plate, Calderon stole second for his fourth steal of the season. Calderon scored when Hale hit to right field and right fielder Gerard Hernandez dropped the ball. Aquasox led 4-3.

The Hops took the lead back for the final time in the fifth. With two outs, Gerard Hernandez singled to right field.  Josh Anderson doubled to right field to score Hernandez all the way from first.

The Aquasox brought in Joselito Cano to relieve starting pitcher Jose Santiago. Nate Robertson walked to load the bases. Jeff Smith walked, forcing in Hernandez in what proved to be the winning run. Hops led 5-4.

The Hops scored an insurance run in the sixth. Stephen Dezzi walked and Luis Veras followed by singling into center field.  The Aquasox made another pitching change bringing in Spencer Herrmann to relieve for Joselito Cano. Josh Anderson hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Dezzi. Hops led 6-4.

Then, in the seventh, the Hops blew the game wide open scoring five runs and led 11-4.

For the Hops, several players had a strong night at the plate. Gerard Hernandez went 4 for 6 with one RBI and a run scored.  Josh Anderson went 2 for 3 with one run, two RBI and a double. Fernery Ozuna went 3 for 6 with two runs scored, an RBI, a double and a home run. Stephen Dezzi went 2 for 4 with three runs scored. Jeff Smith went 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI. Dane McFarland, Luis Veras and Nate Robertson also scored a run.  Luis Veras had three RBI.

For the Aquasox, Braden Bishop went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Jordan Cowen went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

The Hillsboro Hops (10-8) stayed in a tie with the Eugene Emeralds for first place in the South Division. The Everett Aquasox (11-7) kept their two game lead over the Spokane Indians for first in the North Division.

The Hops lead the five-game series with the Everett Aquasox 2-0 and both teams will continue Monday night at 7:05 pm PDT.

Boxscore Provided by MiLB.com

By Greg Stoker