Tristin English drove the two-run home run over the left field fence in the third inning to increase the lead he helped build and gave the Hillsboro Hops plenty of breathing room.  The 5-1 score held on for the victory over the Everett Aquasox

Aquasox Take Their Only Lead

The Aquasox reached the scoreboard first with their first inning opportunity.  Conor Hoover walked and eventually came home on Trent Tingelstad’s grounder to short.  The 1-0 lead seemed too easy but it would be their only score of the night. In fact, their first hit didn’t come until two innings later.  Their one and only score had come from a walk, a wild pitch and a hit batter.

The Hops sent six pitchers in for the game to keep the visitors down to one run.  The double triumvirate held the Aquasox to four hits total and no more runs after the lone score.  Cade Marlowe was the only base runner to make it past first base.

Double Burst of Runs

Meanwhile, Hops batters took charge of the plate.  Tristin English drove Kristian Robinson home from second base with his RBI single.  While Robinson scored, English sneaked over to second on the throw home. A throwing error on the pitcher and a wild pitch opened the door wide for English to come home.

The third inning was much more simple.  Kristian Robinson reached first on a fielder’s choice and then waited while Tristin English drove both of them home with his home run to the berm.  Voila. Just like that, the plate brothers scored all four runs of the Hops 4-1 lead.

In Addition

They would need no more but David Garza teamed up with Ricky Martinez to add one more run.  Already teamed up on the left side of the infield as third baseman and shortstop respectively, they teamed up at the plate.  Garza singled and stole second. From there, Martinez’ RBI single did the rest.

There was some help before the score when Garza attempted home off the single but returned to third when he saw the throw come in faster than expected.  But, that caught Martinez between first and second when he was attempting to grab second on the throw home. While Martinez tried to avoid being tagged in the rundown, Garza took the opportunity to go home.

While the defense was distracted by the score, Martinez took second.  Everyone was safe and the score grew to 5-1 that became the final score.  Expert base running got themselves out of the jam.

Erin Baldwin (W, 3-1) came to the mound in the first for the Hops and stayed for the win.  Yaramil Hiraldo took the mound for the ninth and retired three batters in order but the situation was not a save.  Jorge Benitez (L, 2-1) started and pitched four innings for the Aquasox, giving up the first four runs for the loss.

Standings

The win kept the Hillsboro Hops (6-3) in a first place tie with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in the Southern Division.  However, the loss dropped the Everett Aquasox (3-6) to two games behind the Northern Division leading Spokane Indians.

Both teams will meet again Thursday afternoon at 1:05 PM for the fourth and final game in the series.  The Hops lead the series 3-0 and are going for the sweep. Andrew Saalfrank will pitch for the Hops. In his last appearance on Saturday, Saalfrank lasted 2 innings on a pitch restriction.  Allowed one run on one hit and struck out five batters in the process. The Aquasox have yet to name their starter.

Stay with Minor League Sports Report for game recaps throughout the season.  Follow me on Twitter for half inning updates on all home games.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker