Garcia Grinds out Another Hops Victory
Published on August 13, 2016 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
HILLSBORO, OR - The Hops finally returned home after an eight-day slog through Everett and Boise, and they made themselves right at home back at Ron Tonkin Field against the visiting Vancouver Canadians. Hillsboro rode a strong pitching performance by Junior Garcia and continued hot hitting by Luke Lowery to a 6-3 win over Vancouver.
The Canadians entered the five-game series in a serious skid - losers of 20 of their last 26, including seven in a row. The misery was extended almost immediately after Hillsboro notched three runs right off the bat in the first inning. Jason Morozowski and Adam Walton opened with back-to-back singles and Mark Karaviotis was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs.
The scorching hot Luke Lowery followed with a ripped double to left-center field to plate Morozowski and Walton. After Justin Chigbogu punched out, Stephen Smith put the final touches on the first inning's crooked number with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Karaviotis.
Hops starting pitcher Junior Garcia was effective early and often for the home team, yielding just a single run in the second inning on a Javier Hernandez RBI single.
Hillsboro would tack on three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend the lead to 6-1. Karaviotis notched an RBI single, then consecutive wild pitches scored Morozowski and Karaviotis.
The 6-1 lead stood until the top of the ninth when the Canadians mounted a rally that was ultimately inconsequential. Jeferson Mejia started the frame for the Hops and came ever so close to recording the final strike of the game, but just missed a game-ending strikeout.
When Deiferson Barreto belted a 2-RBI ground rule double, Shelley Duncan lifted Mejia and replaced him with Curtis Taylor, who quickly induced a game-ending soft fly ball to centerfield.
The game was the second of three televised games for Hillsboro this year as the game was broadcast locally on Comcast SportsNet Northwest. One more game will be televised on Friday, 8/26.
Saturday's game is a 5:03 start. Pre-game radio begins at 4:30 PM on Rip City Radio 620 AM. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Northwest League Stories from August 13, 2016
- Canadians Shutout Hops To Even Series In Oregon - Vancouver Canadians
- Hops Bats Silenced in Shutout Loss to C's - Hillsboro Hops
- Salem-Keizer Handed Series-Opening Loss - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Emeralds Outshine Indians in 1-0 Shutout - Spokane Indians
- Garcia Grinds out Another Hops Victory - Hillsboro Hops
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