Leodany Perez triple culminated in the go ahead run in the seventh inning.  After another score in the eighth, The Hillsboro Hops cruised through the ninth for their second win in a row over the Vancouver Canadians, 5-3

Vancouver Home Runs

For the first half of the game, the Hops struggled to score but all they could do was watch the Canadians slowly build their three run lead over the first five innings.  Though the Canadians had struggles of their own to reach around the base paths, they punctuated their attempts with a short burst of power when needed.

Blake Walston (W, 2-1) started for the Hops and lasted through the first six innings before succumbing to 93 pitches and giving away to Liu Fuenmayor in the seventh.  Along the way, Walston retired 18 of his 25 batters.  Blake limited the Canadians runs with timely defense.  While Vancouver managed to get five hits, those hits were surrounded by ground outs to the infield and fly outs to the outfield.  The only exceptions were the two home runs, his only walk and in the fifth when he struck out three batters after giving up the second home run.  Blake retired six of his last seven batters

Davis Schneider broke through first for Vancouver with his lead off home run in the third.  Schneider crossed the plate for a second time in the fifth when he walked just before Zac Cook’s two-run homer made the score 3-0.  Those were the only two times Schneider reached base and the only two times the Canadians would score for the night.

Fuenmayor and Hiraldo Close Doors on Vancouver

A combination of Liu Fuenmayor (H, 1) and Yaramil Hiraldo (S, 6) combined to hold the Canadians scoreless and with only one hit.  The sixth, seventh and eight were three up and three down.  In the last chance ninth, Philip Clarke’s two out single was the only blemish on their record.

Leodany Perez triple and Alexander/English Home Runs

The Hops must have sensed that Vancouver was done for the night and it was their turn.  They were more than ready.  The sixth opened with Vancouver starter Paxton Schultz continuing his dominance over the Hops.  First, he walked power hitter Spencer Brickhouse for his only on base appearance for the night.  Secondly, he struck out the Hops’ other main power hitter, Eduardo Diaz.

With one man on first and one out, there were no red flags.  Except that Schulz had just thrown his 91st pitch.  It was time to bring in a reliever.  Sean Mellen (BS, 1) stepped to the mound.  His first batter, Andy Yerzy, doubled to put runners at the corners.  Brickhouse came home on Tristin English’s RBI ground out to third.

Before the Canadians could tighten ranks, Blaze Alexander smashed his two-run shot to tie the game.  Vancouver took five innings to score three runs.  The Hops did it in four swings.  In the next inning, the Hops took the lead.

Leodany Perez triple for the lead

Vancouver brought a second reliever, Gabriel Ponce (L, 0-1), and Cam Coursey led off with his single.  Leodany Perez triple brought him home taking the long way around through second and third base.  The Hops now had the lead with six swings.  

Vancouver brought in one last reliever, Parker Carraci.  The final score, 5-3,  took a final and seventh swing when Tristin English led off the eighth with his solo homer.

Standings

The win helped the Hillsboro Hops (37-44, fourth place) flip positions with the Vancouver Canadians (37-45, fifth place) and are separated by just a half game.  The Hops also maintained three and a half games behind third place Spokane.  Also, the Canadians maintain their five and a half games lead over Tri City.

Subsequently, the teams will meet for their fifth game of the series Saturday.  The Hops tied the series at 2-2 with their win.  You can listen to the game on 620 AM radio.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

GDStoker