Bow Down: Mitsui's Double Walks Hops Off
August 27, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
Trevor Mitsui of the Hillsboro Hops
(Hillsboro Hops, Credit: Molly J Smith/Hillsboro Hops)
HILLSBORO, OR - Has the tide turned for the Hillsboro Hops? A day after the Hops put a symbolic end to their recent skid with a 3-0 victory, the home team pulled out a remarkable, heart-in-your-throat come-from-behind 3-2 victory with a 2-RBI walk-off double by Trevor Mitsui in the bottom of the ninth. It was the second victory in as many days for Hillsboro over Tri-City as they try to regain their first-half form in time for a play-off run.
It was an inauspicious start for Hillsboro (38-28, 16-12) starter Tyler Mark, who was looking to leave some recent struggles in the past. Early on it didn't look like he would. He struggled through his first frame, allowing two runs on a walk, triple, and sacrifice fly. Mark did strike out the final two batters of the first inning, perhaps indicative that he would settle in.
And settle in he did; over the next four innings he allowed three hits and one walk, but most importantly, zero runs. All told, it was five solid from Arizona's 2015 6th round selection.
The Hops trailed 2-0 after Mark's rocky first, but got one-run back right away. Sergio Alcantara worked a lead-off walk and moved to second when Dansby Swanson reached on an error by Tri-City (34-32, 12-16) third baseman Carlos Belen. Mitsui followed with a single to center to score Alcantara, but that's where the Hops threat would end.
After each team scored in the first inning, 15 consecutive zeroes were posted by the Devils and Hops. Mark posted four of his own, and Jeferson Mejia followed with three scoreless innings himself, posting one of his best outings of the season. He threw three innings without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out three.
Devils starter Emmanuel Ramirez was terrific himself with six innings of one-run ball. Sam Holland followed with two perfect innings and then Phil Maton and his sparkling 0.92 ERA entered the game to crush the Hops' hopes.
The top of the order would have none of that. Alcantara led off with a single, but was erased at second on a Swanson fielder's choice. Grant Heyman singled to right and Swanson scampered to third to leave runners on the corners with one out. The stage was set as second baseman-shortstop-third baseman-centerfielder-right handed pitcher Galli Cribbs, Jr. came on to pinch run for Heyman.
Trevor Mitsui entered stage left, and shot a double to left and the race was on. Swanson scored easily. Cribbs was the only question. The ultra-utility man flew around the bases and slid in before the relay throw and the celebration was on.
The fuse may have been lit two innings prior, when Hops skipper Shelley Duncan earned his first career managerial ejection. The Hops were trying to roll a double play, and it appeared the relay throw to first base beat the Dust Devil, but base umpire Joe Schwartz saw differently. The two men had their differences, but only Schwartz had the ultimate authority, and Duncan was shown the showers.
The Hops and Devils will do it again tomorrow at 7:05 PM. It's the final game of the five-game set with Tri-City. Hillsboro has won three of the first four to claim the series. Pregame radio is at 6:35 PM on Rip City Radio 620 AM and at www.ripcityradio.com.
Images from this story
 Trevor Mitsui of the Hillsboro Hops (Molly J Smith/Hillsboro Hops) |
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Northwest League Stories from August 27, 2015
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- Streaking Hawks Take Third Straight From Canadians - Vancouver Canadians
- Bow Down: Mitsui's Double Walks Hops Off - Hillsboro Hops
- Hawks Continue to Streak; Drop Canadians 5-3 - Boise Hawks
- Oscar De La Cruz Deals in Eugene's 4-1 Win over Spokane - Eugene Emeralds
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