LT Tolbert Powers Hops Beyond Hawks 6-3
Geraldo Perdomo took advantage of being hit by a pitch to score the eventual winning run in an inning filled with mistakes. Leading off the top of the seventh, Perdomo took first and came home on an LT Tolbert RBI double. It became the winning run to keep the Hillsboro Hops ahead of the Boise Hawks 6-3.
LT Tolbert Wild Invitation
But, the inning just started. Pitcher Brad Shreiber let loose a wild pitch inviting LT Tolbert to take third. That was followed by another wild pitch to open the door to home plate. Just like that, Perdomo was joined by LT Tolbert to give the road team, a 5-1 lead. After an Andy Yerzy walk, Schreiber, who had just came into the game, left with a man on first, two scores and no outs. The inning mercifully ended but not before Ryan Tufts scored when Keyshawn Lynch walked with the bases loaded.

For most of the game, the pitching was lock down with the home team Hawks only scoring once in the sixth when Kennard McDowell walked and scored off of LJ Hatch’s RBI triple. Until the ninth. Then, one last gap scored two more runs for the Hawks. Luke Morgan and Danny Edgeworth both came home on Willie MacIver’s RBI infield single to Geraldo Perdomo.
16 Strikeouts
Other than those two blips, Hops’ pitching controlled the plate. The pitching staff combined for a season high 16 strike outs, eight by starting pitcher Matt Mercer. It was Jackson Goddard (W, 1-3) striking out five that was the pitcher of record for the win. Chester Pimentel (S, 7) came on in the ninth for the final two outs to earn the save.
LT Tolbert did not do it alone. Lead off batter Jake McCarthy added his own power with two hits, two scores and a double. Keyshawn Lynch went 2 for 2, with a score, a double and his RBI walk scoring the final run for the Hops. It was LT Tolbert who led the team with two RBIs.
Doubles Double Hawks, 6-3

Jake McCarthy scored the first run of the game with his double, steal of third and coming home on Pearson McMahan’s wild pitch, a common theme for the night. In fact, it seems that Hawks pitchers had more RBIs that an individual Hops batter.
Keyshawn Lynch led of the fifth with another Hops’ double, one of four for the night for the team. Lynch came home on Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice fly to center field. McCarthy eventually came home on a LT Tolbert RBI single. In all, six runs on ten hits.
Franchise Record
The win improved the Hillsboro Hops’ (25-10) overall record to 49-24, a franchise record for the Hopsin season wins. The Hops have three more games to play before the end of the regular season. Already qualified for the playoffs and assured of the second half championship, the Hops maintain their nine game lead over second place the Eugene Emeralds (16-19). The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (15-20) loss dropped them one game behind Eugene in the race for second place and the final playoff spot. The Boise Hawks (12-23) loss to the Hops eliminated them from any chance of catching Eugene for the final playoff spot.

The win gave the Hops the series win over the Hawks 2-1. Also, the Hops return home for the final three games of the season in a homestand against the Volcanoes. First game Saturday at 7:05 PM. No starting pitchers have yet to be announced.
Portland Mavericks Come Monday
This Monday will not only be the final game of the regular season but it will also be the final Portland Mavericks night of the season. Therefore, catch up on the Mavericks’ history by clicking on the link.
By
Greg Stoker
@GDStoker