NWL1 Hillsboro Hops

Gonzalez Bomb Lifts Hops to Win in Front of Record

Published on July 4, 2014 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release


HILLSBORO, OR - The Hillsboro Hops vs the Everett AquaSox at Ron Tonkin Field in Hillsboro, OR. (Craig Mitchelldyer/Hillsboro Hops)(Craig Mitchelldyer/Hillsboro Hop)

The Hillsboro Hops delivered their fourth straight win in front of a record setting crowd of 5,205 and during a phenomenal sunset as they beat the Everett AquaSox 7-6 Thursday night.

Despite fireworks after the game, shortstop Justin Gonzalez delivered the biggest boom of the night as he rocketed a ball over the left field fence in the bottom of the seventh to give the Hops a three run lead that would not be relinquished.

The scoring opened up in the second inning as both teams would push at least one across the plate. Everett (5-16) scored one on a wild pitch from Hops' starter Ben Eckels, and Bennie Robinson scored on a Pedro Ruiz double to right field, and a Jordan Parr groundout that scored Gonzalez.

Neither team scored in the fourth or fifth, but both Everett (1) and the Hops (2) put up runs in the fifth. Robinson walked with the bases loaded for the first run in the fifth and George Roberts scored on a fielding error by the Everett third baseman.

Hops' starter Ben Eckels threw five innings of two run ball as he allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five. After a strong start from Eckels, the Hops bullpen picked up where he left off with the exception of John Pedrotty. The southpaw who now sports a 14.21 ERA threw two thirds of an inning and allowed two runs on no hits, while walking four. Alex Byo came in to save the day after Pedrotty had his struggles and threw two-and-a-third innings allowing no hits and no walks.

Byo, who recorded his second win, carried the Hops to the ninth inning with a 7-4 lead after Gonzalez's no-doubter all-bagger. Cody Geyer came in for his third save of the year and got it, although it got interesting. He allowed two runs, neither of them earned, on two hits and a walk. After the AquaSox cut the lead to one, Geyer got Chris Mariscal to fly out to right field to end the night.

Robinson finished the night 3-for-3 with two runs scored, and Jordan Parr registered two hits in the lead off spot.

Tomorrow's first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Salem-Keizer as the Hops take on division rivals for three games. Hear all the live action with Rich Burk and Matt Richert on Rip City Radio 620 AM beginning with the pregame.

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