Teeing off for Two
August 1, 2014 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
The road has been very kind to the Hillsboro Hops since last August, a road that started with a run of four straight wins at Spokane's Avista Stadium.
That winning streak will carry into this August as the Hops (7-3 NWL 2nd half, 29-19 overall) parlayed a four-run first inning into a 5-3 victory over the Indians Thursday night, dropping the first-half North Division champs into the second-half basement with a 3-7 record (28-20 overall).
Five straight Hops reached base in the first, sparking a four-run rally capped by Grant Heyman's fifth home run of the year, a 2-run shot to left-center field, as the Hops improved their road record to 26-9 dating back to their last trip to Spokane last season, when they won their last ten straight road games after dropping the series opener to the Indians.
After Spokane answered with back-to-back doubles and two runs in the bottom of the first inning, Austin Platt settled down and pitched the Hops into the sixth, leaving the game after surrendering a two-out RBI single to Spokane's number-nine batter Diego Cedeno, a hit that broke an 0-for-23 slump. Platt was knocked off his feet by a Luke Tendler line drive in the third, but stayed in the game to even his Hops record at 2-2, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three bases on balls.
Dustin Loggins came on to get the final out in the sixth, retiring leadoff batter Eduard Pinto on a fly out to center. Jared Miller threw two scoreless inning of relief in his second Hillsboro outing and Zac Curtis carded his NWL-leading 12th save with a scoreless ninth, fanning NWL batting leader Seth Spivey with a runner aboard.
The Hops had a couple of defensive miscues, but turned three double plays, the last coming in the eighth with the tying runs on base.
Hops newcomers continued to make major contributions Thursday night. First baseman Kevin Cron scored a run for the third consecutive game, driving in Steve Nyisztor with a base hit to right field in the first inning before trotting home on Heyman's home run. Stryker Trahan led off the fourth inning with a double and scored on a base hit to right field by Zach Esquerra, who was gunned down at second trying to stretch into a double.
Heyman went 2-for-3 and was hit by a pitch.
Outside of two innings, the Hops did little offensively. Spokane got sterling relief work from NWL All-Star lefty Shane McCain, an undrafted free agent out of Troy University, who limited Hillsboro to one hit and no runs over his three innings. University of Oregon grad Darrell Hunter, who also went undrafted after battling injuries in Eugene, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with back-to-back strikeouts.
Game three of the series sees NWL All-Star Nick Baker (3-0) take the mound for the Hops, looking to extend his remarkable 41-inning streak without a base on balls. Garrett Reed (4-1) will get the call for the Indians, who have now dropped six straight games to the Hops at Avista Stadium. Tune in for live broadcast coverage on Rip City Radio 620 AM and online at foxsportsradio620.com starting at 6:05 with the first pitch at 6:35 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the Northwest League message board...
Northwest League Stories from August 1, 2014
- Individual Lamb Weston Hot Corner Tickets Available Saturday - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Blue Jays Promote Castro; Lovecchio To All-Star Team - Vancouver Canadians
- Emeralds Announce Whackapolooza Celebrity All-Star Game - Eugene Emeralds
- Teeing off for Two - Hillsboro Hops
- Tri-City Prevails in 13-Inning Affair - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Vancouver wins over Boise - Boise Hawks
- Canadians Bounce Back With 2-1 Victory Over Boise - Vancouver Canadians
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
