Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Blast Hillsboro Hops 10-7 in a Slugfest
The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes took a home run derby of a game from the Hillsboro Hops, 10-7. Two players in particular had a blast. Hops Trevor Mitsui had hit a home run in the previous four consecutive games. Tonight, he had two. Five days ago, Mitsui had three home runs for the season. Tonight, he hit his eighth and ninth blast to tie for the lead league at nine. Ronnie Jebavy also had two for the Volcanoes for his sixth and seventh. Volcano Chris Shaw added his seventh blast for good measure.
For the Hops, Trevor Mitsui went 3 for 5 scoring two runs with two homers and five RBI. That would have been enough for most games. Luis Veras added two more runs going 4 for 5 at the plate. Grant Heyman went 3 for 5, scoring a run. Dansby Swanson scored twice.
Ronnie Jebavy went 3 for 4 scoring three times with two home runs and a triple for four RBI. Joe Vizcaino, Jr., went 3 for 4, scoring twice.
There was scoring a plenty. The Hops drew first blood scoring three in the first. With Dansby Swanson and Grant Heyman already on base, Trevor Mitsui hit his first home run of the night to clear the bases. The Volcanoes nibbled in the first and second to make the score 3-2 but the Hops added a fourth run in the top of the fourth to create some breathing room. That was when the Volcanoes took over.
Salem-Keizer scored four runs over the next two innings taking a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish. With Mark Nelson on board, Ronnie Jebavy stroked a two run homer to tie the game in the fourth. The next inning, Chris Shaw led off with a solo blast to take the lead. Before the inning was over, Julio Pena singled to right and scored Jose Vizcaino from third.
After an insurance run for the Volcanoes in the seventh, the Hops scored twice to draw within one run. Trevor Mitsui led off with a solo blast, giving him his second homer of the night. Luis Veras followed with a double to left. Stryker Trahan pinch hit for Nate Robertson, smashing a double down the first base line to score Veras.
With a one run lead, the Volcanoes took most of the hope away from the Hops scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Ronnie Jebavy sent his second blast of the night, a solo shot, over the left field wall. With bases loaded later in the inning, John Riley doubled down the right field line to score Lichtenthaler (who pinch ran for Shaw) and Vizcaino.
The Hops added one more run when Trevor Mitsui singled home Dansby Swanson from third in the ninth.
Carlos Hernandez (4-2) started for the Hops and took the loss. Hernandez allowed six runs on eight hits. Eric Sim (1-1) came in to calm down the Hops over 3.1 innings for the Volcano win allowing no runs on two hits.
The Hillsboro Hops (13-8) had their lead over Eugene cut down to one game. The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (11-10) drew within two games of the South Division leading Hops.
Both teams finished the three game series with the Hops taking it 2-1. This was also the end of the season series between the teams unless they meet in the playoffs. The Hops took the season series 9-3.
The Hops come home for a three game series with the Boise Hawks starting Thursday night. The Volcanoes will stay home and host the Eugene Emeralds for three games.
Short Hops: Second baseman Fernery Ozuna is out for an injury rehab. It is doubtful at this time he will return before the season is over. Ozuna was leading the league in fielding percentage for his position. With the addition of first overall 2015 pick Dansby Swanson, Sergio Alcantara will move over to the second base duties for the most part. This will give the Hops the two top short stop prospects in the Arizona Diamondback organization to protect the middle.
By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker