Joey Rose Powers Hops Past Indians, 3-2
In a tight and low scoring ball game, Joey Rose punched through when the Hops needed him. It was his RBI single in the first that started the scoring. It was his RBI double in the third that scored the eventual winning run. In all, Rose went 2 for 4 at the plate with a walk to help the visiting Hillsboro Hops over the host Spokane Indians by a score of 3-2.
Pitching was the overall factor as both teams were held to low scores. For the Hops, they used seven different pitchers with none getting more than two innings on the mound. The Hops have used more platoons this year as compared to last year. In previous seasons, it was more common to see the starting pitcher lasting five or six innings and stay under a pitch count of 75. Now, we are seeing two inning starts followed by more of the same. With the Hops setting a first half record in wins, it is hard to argue with results.
24 Strike Outs From Both Sides
The strike-out also made its presence known in tonight’s game. Hillsboro pitching struck out an unlucky (for the Indians) 13 batters. Indian pitching wasn’t far behind with eleven strike-outs of Hops batters. Out of the eleven pitchers used by both sides, ten of them recorded at least one strike-out. The only pitcher who didn’t pitched for less than an inning. Matt Mercer, who started for the Hops, Mason McCullough and Trevor McKenna all struck out three Indians batters each. On the other side, starter Scott Engler (L, 2-3) and Werner Leal recorded five strike-outs apiece. Ryan Miller (W, 2-0) got the win for the Hops and Yeison Santana (S, 2) earned his second save of the season.
Joey Rose smacks 2 of Hops Nine Hits
Joey Rose wasn’t the only hot bat for the Hops. Jorge Perez went 3 for 3 at the plate with a double and a score. Perez scored the second run of the game for the Hops when he started the third inning with a walk. Andy Yerzy went 2 for 4 scoring a run and knocking in Perez for his score.
Spokane bats came up with four hits for the night and no extra base hits. Seven walks contributed to the Indians getting 13 base runners on board but eleven of them were stranded by the soft-speaking bats.
Hops Have Four Game Winning Streak
The win increased the Hillsboro Hops (4-1) lead in the Southern Division to two games over the Eugene Emeralds (3-2) and the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (3-2). Also, the loss dropped the Spokane Indians (3-2) into a three-way tie with the Everett Aquasox (3-2) and the Vancouver Canadians on top of the Northern Division. Both teams return tonight to Avista Stadium for game three of the five game series. The Hops lead 2-0 so far.
Promotions
In case you have missed it, there have been some heavy lifting to the Hops line up. Gone are LHP Franklyn Soriano, 2B Jose Caballero and CF Tra Holmes who were promoted to the Kane County Cougars.
To replace them the Missoula Osprey have given the Hops RF William Gorman (2017 draft pick, 32nd round) and SS Geraldo Perdomo (2016 free agent, 18 years old) while RHP Luis Friaz (2015 free agent) comes from the AZL D-backs.
By
Greg Stoker
@GDstoker