The Hillsboro Hops with the help of Jake McCarthy and Jorge Perez were more than enough to take care of the Spokane Indians 6-0. The Hops scored in each of the first three innings and coasted behind the lockdown pitching of Matt Tabor (W, 1-1), Luis Castillo, West Tunnell and Kyler Stout. The four-man tag team limited the visiting Indians to just five hits with seven strike outs and two walks. Spokane had runners on second base three times but never any closer to home.

Jake McCarthy took place in center field to give Tre Holmes a rest. The change in position did not bother him at all. But, it was left fielder Jorge Perez who started the show in the first inning. Perez’ ground rule double to right set the tome of power to begin the game. Never one to stand still, Jorge swiftly took third. After catcher Andy Yerzy walked, third baseman Joey Rose continued his offensive contributions during the series by clearing the bases with his triple. Simple, efficient and effective.

Jake McCarthy Doubles Lead

Another run was added in the second when first baseman Francis Martinez led off the inning with a home run over the right field fence. The third inning would double the score when Jake McCarthy homered to right with Jose Caballero on second and Jorge Perez on third. The scoring was done. The bats would appear again in the fifth inning with Jose Caballero and Jorge Perez both singling. After that, the bats were quiet.

Ryan Dease (W, 2-1) started for the Indians and took his first loss of the season. Ryan allowed all seven Hops hits, striking out three and walking two. Cole Uvila relieved for three innings and struck out four keeping the Hops hitless. Sergio Suarez pitched the ninth for another hitless inning.

Spokane bats were led by Tyler Depreta-Johnson. Tyler went 2 for 3 on the night. Julio Pablo Martinez and Hasuan Viera both added a double. Diosbel Arias added a single.

Hillsboro Hops Sole Position First Place

But, the early Hops scoring was more than enough for the Hops to take the third straight game of the series and take the series with two more games left to play. Hillsboro is now on a five-game winning streak and look hot to continue winning. The win pulled the Hillsboro Hops into a half game lead over the second place Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and a hold on the Southern Division lead. With the loss, the Spokane Indians maintained three games behind the Northern Division leading Everett Aquasox. The Tri City Dust Devils have now pulled into a tie with Everett.

The two teams will continue the five-game series Monday night with game four. Monday night will also be a Maverick Monday night. For an article explaining who the Portland Mavericks are, please read  Portland Mavericks Hillsboro Return, July 2nd

Hops notes:

On Sunday, the Hillsboro Hops received Zachary Jones from the Missoula Osprey. The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Zachary back in November of 2017, as a free agent.

On Friday, the Hops received LHP Bryan Valdez who came from the AZL D-backs. Bryan (W, 1-0) gave 6.1 innings that night in the Hillsboro-Spokane opener and made quite an impression, going for six strike outs and allowing only one earned run for the win.

The same day saw RHP Brian Ellington come down from the Reno Aces on a rehab assignment.
To complete the Friday trifecta, C Jose Herrera was promoted to the Kane County Cougars.

Boxscore

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoke