Robinson Pina (W, 2-4) started for the Tri City Dust Devils and helped set the tone for the rest of the game.  The bullpen did even better holding the Hillsboro Hops scoreless for the 6-1 pounding.

Tri City Takes Lead, Doesn’t Look Back

The Dust Devils didn’t score until the third inning when they took a 3-0 lead and then never let go.  Seven batters walked up to the plate in the inning.  With one out, Livan Soto doubled, Carlos Herrera singled and scored Soto, Jordyn Adams tripled and scored Herrera,  and Francisco Del Valle doubled scoring Adams.

Tri City was only half done.  Franklin Torres doubled and scored on Kevin Maitan’s RBI single in the fifth.  Jordyn Adams led off with a single and scored on Maitan’s RBI double in the seventh.  Finally, Garreth Morgan led off the eighth with a solo home run.

Hops Near Silent in Answer

The only answer the Hops could muster was when Carson Kelly doubled and scored in the sixth off Tristin English’ RBI double.  The Hops did come close several times.  Andy Yerzy singled and was left at third in the fourth.  Yerzy also walked in the sixth and again stopped at third.  No other Hops managed to get past second base.

Robinson Pina Strikes Out Eleven

The reason for the near silence is due to the Dust Devils’ pitching.  Robinson Pina was at the top of his game throwing eleven strikes while only walking three.  The only times he faced more than three batters in an inning were the first and fourth.  Carson Kelly doubled in the first but was surrounded by three Pina strikeouts.  The fourth started and ended with a K.  In between, Yerzy singled and Spencer Brickhouse (back from the injured list) walked.

Robinson Pina Hands Game to Dust Devils Bullpen to Finish Job

Erick Julio (H, 5) finished the sixth inning for Pina and took the mound for the complete seventh.  The only hit was by his first batter.  Tristin English smacked an RBI double, scoring Carson Kelly who was on base with his second double of the night.  After that, Julio retired the next five batters to end the seventh.  Luis Ramirez and Zac Kristofak both pitched minimum innings, retiring all six batters to close the game.

Standings

The win helped the Tri City Dust Devils (29-43) stay 19 games behind Everett at the top.  But, they did manage to gain one game on the Hops and only two and a half games separate the fifth and sixth place teams now.  The loss dropped the Hillsboro Hops to 16.5 games behind Everett but managed to stay just one game behind fourth place Vancouver.

Both teams meet at Ron Tonkin Field Tuesday afternoon for a 1:05 PM game#2.  Tri City has the early series lead 1-0.  However, if you can’t make the game, you can watch it on MiLB.tv, listen on 620 AM radio or you can follow me on Twitter for half inning updates.  Subsequently, you can find my Twitter handle below.

Meanwhile, look back at my Week 12 which is up and running.  A lot of changes on the roster.  Check it out.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker