Hillsboro Hops, Tra’Mayne Holmes Blast Everett Aquasox, 11-2
The Hillsboro Hops smothered the Everett Aquasox 11-2 in a crowd-pleasing effort. The Hops jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and the Aquasox never came closer than two runs after that.
Center fielder Tra’Mayne Holmes led the offensive onslaught going 2 for 4 with three RBI and scored a run. Newcomer Dan Swain wasn’t far behind going 2 for 4 with two doubles, an RBI and scored a run. In an embarrassment of riches, designated hitter Eudy Ramos added two RBI and a score going 3-5 at the plate. His seventh inning single up the middle almost upended base umpire Anthony Warner as it darted past the pitcher’s mound. Luckily, Warner was agile enough to avoid the quick missile while showing some good moves. In all, eight of nine Hillsboro batters hit safely at the plate. The team went 12 for 36.
Four Hops scored two runs including Yan Sanchez with his team leading 13 runs scored. His single to start the game for the Hops also maintained his team lead of 22 hits.

It was a little dangerous at the plate for both teams. Four batters total, two for each team, were hit by a pitch as they took one for their respective teams.
Riley Smith (W, 2-1) started on the mound for the Hops and pitched six innings of control. The Aquasox managed to score their only two runs of the game but Riley scattered their six hits over those six innings for the win. In 79 pitches, Smith threw 55 strikes to keep Everett batters on the edge of the plate. Luis Castillo, Matt Peacock and Pierce Romero combined for the final three innings to keep Everett scoreless the rest of the way, scattering two hits.
Michael Suarez (L, 2-1) started for the Aquasox and was chased after three innings for the loss. The Hops erupted for four runs against him in the first but he seemed to settle down and control the game for two innings after that. However, that first inning ate up 38 pitches and he hit his pitch count early. He walked two batters in the fourth before leaving with 73 pitches total. Five pitchers took the mound for the Aquasox. As a team, they managed nine strikeouts together.
Aquasox batters scattered eight hits across the board. Designated hitter Evan White scored first for Everett with a solo shot in the second. Right fielder Joe Venturino went 2 for 4 with a double.

With the win, the Hillsboro Hops (9-8) upped themselves to a winning record and stayed two games behind southern division leader Eugene Emeralds. Despite the loss, the Everett Aquasox (7-10) remain three games behind northern division leaders Tri-City Dust Devils and Vancouver Canadians.
Both teams meet again Sunday afternoon at 4:05 pm for the fourth game at Ron Tonkin Field. The Hops lead the five-game series 3-0. Sunday’s game will be a continuation of the weekend’s Salute to the Armed Forces. After the game, kids will be allowed to run the bases.
Hops notes: Kyle Smith was assigned to the Missoula Osprey on Saturday. The first baseman went 7 for 39 in eleven games. He also smacked three doubles and two home runs to go with seven RBI.
Team Images by Craig Mitchelldyer-Hillsboro Hops
By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker