Tri-City Dust Devils, Tyler Benson Walk-Off with Win over Hillsboro Hops, 5-4
The Tri-City Dust Devils took a wild one away from the visiting Hillsboro Hops on a walk-off single, 5-4. Jalen Washington scored the winning run after reaching first base on a walk and then second and third on consecutive wild pitches by closer Cal Becker (L, 0-2). That set up the stage for Tyler Benson to step up to the plate with runners at the corners and send the game-winning single into right field.
Becker stepped to the mound in the eighth inning for the Hops to find the bases loaded on three straight walks and no outs. The third walk was intentional to put the force out at the plate. Becker quickly struck out Tre Carter for the first out. Luis Almanzar grounded into a fielder’s choice with shortstop Camden Duzenack alertly throwing Justin Lopez out as he tried to score from third. Becker got the Hops out of the jam by inducing Chris Mattison to fly out to center field to end the inning.
The Dust Devils slowly built a lead throughout the game but the Hops remained the pesky visitors catching up on every lead when given the chance. Their first bite into Tri City came in the fourth with Ryan Grotjohn’s double scoring Luis Lara from third, making the score 2-1.
After another home town run, the Hops scored twice in the sixth to tie the game. With two outs, Tra’Mayne Holmes stepped up with Pavin Smith on at first and clobbered a two-run homer to left-center field.
Again, Tri City scored a go ahead run and again, the Hops tied it, this time in the eighth. Pavin Smith led off with a triple to the left field fence and came home on Grotjohn’s sacrifice fly to center field. But, the Dust Devils had one more lead inside of them. This time in walk-off fashion not giving the Hops another chance to stay the execution.
Nick Margevicius started for Tri City and lasted five innings striking out four and allowing just one run to cross the plate. This game was meant for the relief squad. Trevor McGill (W, 2-0) closed out the ninth inning keeping the Hops scoreless and hitless for the win.
Pitching staffs on both sides did well to keep the hits few and far between with the Hops blasting six and the home team another five. In an unusual show of power, seven of the game’s eleven hits went for extra bases.
The Dust Devils smacked two doubles and two home runs to go with their lonely single. All-Star Luis Asuncion swatted a solo shot in the fourth followed by Chris Mattison’s solo shot in the seventh. Tyler Benson had the only multi-hit game for the home team.
The Hops spread their hits across the board with three singles, a double, triple and Holme’s two-run shot in the sixth. Pavin Smith held the lone multi-hit bat for the Hops with his triple to go along with a single and scored twice on the night. Grotjohn and Holmes accounted for all four Hops RBIs.
The Hillsboro Hops’ (9-9) loss coupled with the Boise Hawks’ loss let the Southern Division leaders fall into a three-way tie with the Eugene Emeralds. The Tri City Dust Devils (10-8) win helped them keep pace with co-Northern Division leader Vancouver Canadians.
Both teams return to Gesa Stadium with the Dust Devils leading the five-game series 2-1 so far. Expected pitchers are RHP Tyler Vail (0-1) for the Hops and LHP Ben Sheckler (2-2) for the Dust Devils.
By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker