Tristin English blasted his first career pro homer in the fifth as a part of getting the frustration out of their system.  English’ lead off homer over the right field fence was the first of ten Hops batters rounding the order. But, there were plenty of heroes at the plate and on the mound that was a part of the Hillsboro Hops defeating the Boise Hawks 11-0.

Fifth Explodes

Kristian Robinson followed the homer with a shot of his own over the head of the center fielder Bladimir Restituyo and to the wall for a stand up triple.  Jorge Barrosa took a hit at the ankle to put runners at the corners and then proceeded to steal second and third. Finally, Jesus Marriaga singled home Barrosa before coming home on Ricky Martinez’ RBI single.  Four runs later and the score was 6-0 Hops.

The Hops weren’t done.  They scored three more runs in the seventh that included Eddie Hernandez’ two RBI triple down the right field line scoring Nick Grande and Eddie Martinez.  The scoring was capped with Tristin English sending a sacrifice fly to right field and bringing Hernandez home after his triple.

Two more runs came in the eighth.  Ryan January singled and then scored on Nick Dalesandro’s ground out to third.  Jesus Marriaga doubled and eventually came home on a wild pitch. If there had been any doubt before that, it was as gone as wisps of smoke through your fingers.  The three game losing streak was over.

Team Effort

It all started when Tristin English scored the first run of the game coming home on Ryan January’s bases loaded walk in the first inning.  Add to that Nick Grande’s single and score on Ricky Martinez’ double in the third. Nine Hops players. Nine heroes either scoring or bringing a run home.  Everyone participated.

All of the offense may have overshadowed the great job by the pitching staff.  Wilfry Cruz (2-0) started and went five innings, holding the visiting Hawks to three hits.  Franklyn Soriano (H, 3) set up three innings with only one hit. Jake Polancic closed the ninth with no hits.  The 14 hits by Hops batters was a backdrop that made the accomplishment of the pitchers look much easier than it was.  Zak Baayoun (0-2) started for Boise and was chased in the fourth taking the loss.

Boise managed to smack four hits.  Trevor Boone hit two singles but never managed to make it to second, caught stealing and forced out on a fielder’s choice.  Aaron Schunk doubled in the fourth and later became the third Hawk to make it to third. Yorvis Torrealba singled and made it to third in the second inning.  Daniel Cope was the other Hawk base runner to make it to third.

No Credit

In an odd note, Hops batter Jorge Barrosa expended a lot of effort before recording his only At Bat in the eighth inning.  In the first, Barrosa took a ball in his upper right leg to load the bases. Jorge walked in the third but watched the rest of the inning from first base,  The fifth saw Barrosa take another ball in his left ankle. This time, Jorge stole second. He followed that with stealing third. Ryan January lofted a sacrifice fly to left field and Barrosa scored.  Not bad for a hurting left thigh and right ankle. One more time, Jorge reached base, this time with a walk in the sixth. Barrosa made it to second on January’s single but was doubled off when Jesus Marriaga swatted a sharp  line drive to shortstop Vladimir Dilone.

All of that while not recording a single plate appearance in the stat column.  Jorge did finally get his plate appearance in the eighth when he grounded out to third.

Standings

The win helped the Hillsboro Hops (15-9) keep pace, one game behind the Southern Division leading Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.  The loss dropped the Boise Hawks (12-12) to three games behind the Hops. Both teams return to Ron Tonkin Field Monday night at 7:05 PM for game two of the three game series.

The Boise Hawks will send RHP Frederis Parra (3-1) to the mound.  In his last appearance, Parra earned his third win against the Eugene Emeralds last Tuesday.  Frederis went six scoreless innings with five hits and three strikeouts. The Hops have yet to determine the starting pitcher.

Stay up to date with more game recaps at Minor League Sports Report.

Box Score

By

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker