Spokane Indians at Hillsboro Hops - August 20, 2014
August 20, 2014 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
LAST SERIES: The Hops have the best record in the NWL, but until Monday in Eugene they had not recorded a series sweep. The Hops won 6-3, 9-7 (in 17 innings) and 9- 2. It was the third series sweep in the franchise's two-year history, all on the road (also at Eugene last August, and at Boise the final weekend of 2013).
THIS SERIES: Hillsboro and Spokane meet in what could be a preview of the NWL championship series. Both the Hops and Spokane won their division's respective first-half titles.
HOPS VS. SPOKANE: Hillsboro won four of five in Spokane from 7/30-8/3, the only previous series between the clubs in 2014. It was the second straight year the Hops took four of five at Avista Stadium. Over two seasons, the Hops are 11-4 against Spokane, 3-2 at Ron Tonkin Field.
WHAT A WEEK: Over the past 7 days, Hillsboro has played a pair of games that will be remembered for years to come. A week ago tonight, five Hops pitchers combined for nine no-hit shutout innings at home against Boise, but Hillsboro-which had only one hit in the first nine frames-hadn't scored a run either.
Boise broke up the no-no in the 10th-their only hit of the game was a David Bote double-but the Hops scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the 10th on a bases-loaded walk to Taylor Ratliff. The Hops had just two hits. Then, four days later (Sunday), Hillsboro won on the road at Eugene 9-7 in 17 innings. Ratliff's two-run HR in the top of the 17th was his first pro round-tripper, and it came in his 365th pro at-bat.
ROAD WARRIORS: Hillsboro is 22-11 on the road this year. Dating back to 8/17/13, the Hops are 32-11 away from Ron Tonkin Field. During that span, they're 18-18 at home (16-14 in 2014).
TRENDING: INF Galli Cribbs is 3 for his last 8 after a 3x31 stretch. He had key run-scoring singles Fri home vs Boi and Mon at Eug. ... 1B Kevin Cron has hit in 8 straight games (11x36), two shy of franchise record held by Todd Glaesmann, Jordan Parr and Stryker Trahan (all this year). ... RF Zach Esquerra is 3x25 w/12K. ... C Nate Irving hit in 3 straight (4x10), while playing sporadically-the 3-game streak came over a 16-day period 7/27-8/11 ... After arriving from Missoula, 1B/3B Jake Mayers had played in 19 of 23g; since Kevin Cron's arrival, he has played just 8 of 15, but is 11x33 in that span... UT Steve Nyisztor is 2 for 9 since missing 4g after fouling a ball off his foot. ... OF Jordan Parr has hit in 4 straight (5x19), and scored 6 runs in 3-gm series in Eugene. Has separate hitting streaks this year of 4, 4, 6, 8 and 10. ... CF Taylor Ratliff went 3 for his last 7 in Eugene after 1x23 stretch. ... IF Nate Robertson hit in 3 straight in Eugene (6x16). ... IF Pedro Ruiz had a 4-gm hitting streak broken Monday, though he was just 4x18 in streak. On Sunday Ruiz set a NWL record by recording 14 assists in one game; previous record had been 12. ... C Elvin Soto was 3x4 on Mon. in Eug., doubling his hit total since All-Star break; had been 3 for 21 since break. ... C/OF Stryker Trahan had 3 straight multi- hit games in Eug., (7x16, HR, one RBI each game).
A STAR-STUDDED STAFF: See details later in these notes regarding manager J.R. House, and coaches Doug Drabek, Mark Grace & Ben Petrick.
ON THE AIR: Hops games can be heard live on Rip City Radio 620 AM in Portland, and online at www.foxsportsradio620.com. Mobile listeners should download the iHeartRadio app. Tonight's pregame show begins at 6:35. Rich Burk (@RichBurk1) and Matt Richert will call the action.
• Discuss this story on the Northwest League message board...
Northwest League Stories from August 20, 2014
- Spokane Indians at Hillsboro Hops - August 20, 2014 - Hillsboro Hops
- CBS Reality TV Series Survivor Stars Highlight Final Regular Season Homestand Preview - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Boise Bats Can't Get Untracked - Boise Hawks
- Eugene Romps over AquaSox - Everett AquaSox
- Canadians Open Home Stand With Shutout Win 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.
