The Hillsboro Hops finished the first half of the season on a winning note, blanking the Tri City Dust Devils 3-0. The Hops not only solidified their place in second but also knocked Tri City out of the first half crown race in the North Division.

The Hops plucked a run here and there throughout the game as their steady bats chipped away consistently at the Dust Devil pitching. The first run for the Hops came in the first inning when Josh Anderson singled after two outs, moved to second on Justin Chigbogu’s single and then scored on Luis Veras third consecutive single of the inning.

Two innings later, Luis Silverio led of with a single and moved to third on a failed pick off attempt. Silverio scooted home with the second score of the game on Josh Anderson’s ground out to first. The final score came in the fifth when Josh Anderson singled and then later scored on a throwing error by short stop Chris Baker.

The three runs would be more than they would need as the Hops pitching refused to allow any Dust Devil to cross the plate. Wei-Chieh Huang started for the Hops and lasted until the fifth inning allowing four hits and struck out six. Jeferson Mejia stepped up to the mound in relief facing the bases loaded with two outs. Mejia got Buddy Reed to fly out to center to end the inning.

Jeferson Mejia (W, 3-2) came back for the sixth inning and earned the win giving up just one hit to G.K. Young who singled with two outs. The Dust Devils would remain hitless for the rest of the night as Kevin Ginkel, Jordan Watson and Jake Winston each took an inning in relief. Winston (S, 3) retired three consecutive Tri City batters in the ninth to earn the save and put a cap on the first half.

Hops bats erupted for eleven hits Monday night. Josh Anderson went 2 for 5 and had a hand in all three Hops runs as he scored twice and knocked the third one in with an RBI ground out. Luis Veras and Manny Jefferson both went 2 for 4. Luis Silverio went 1 for 3 and scored the Hops other run. Justin Chigbogu, Mark Karaviotis, Alexis Olmeda and Jose Queliz all singled. There were no extra base hits for the Hops tonight.

Angel Mejia (L, 1-2) started for the Dust Devils and went to the sixth with the Hops nickel and diming him along the way scoring three runs on eleven hits for the loss. Adrian De Horta and Will Stillman shut down the Hops the rest of the way not even allowing a hit.

The Dust Devils managed five hits spread throughout the game. Kyle Overstreet went 2 for 4. Taylor Kohlwey went 1 for 3 and doubled with the game’s lone extra base hit. Boomer White and Jose Savinon singled.

The Hillsboro Hops ended the first half breaking even on a 19-19 record and ended up in second place. With the Tri City Dust Devils’ (19-19) loss, they fell into a first place tie with Spokane but the Indians held the tie breaker with head to head competition at 2-1. A Dust Devil win would have locked up the first half crown forTri City.

Tomorrow night, everyone goes back to a 0-0 record and starts the second half. The Hops will come home for a six game homestand starting with a three game series against the Boise Hawks. The Dust Devils will start the second half on the road with a three game series with the first half crown winning Spokane Indians.

Boxscore

Photography by Portland Oregon Photographer Craig MItchelldyer
www.craigmitchelldyer.com
503.513.0550

By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker