NWL1 Hillsboro Hops

Hops' D, Volcanoes' T Spells Hillsboro Loss

Published on July 6, 2014 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release


The Hillsboro Hops' recent defensive woes continued on Saturday night, as they committed four errors --- three by shortstop Justin Gonzalez --- in a 7-6 loss at Salem-Keizer. Hillsboro battled back from a 6-0 deficit to tie the game in the top of the 9th, but the Volcanoes Travious ("T") Relaford drove home the game-winner in the bottom of the 9th. For just the second time this year, the Hops have lost consecutive games.

Salem-Keizer scored once in each of the first three innings --- including two unearned runs --- and they doubled their lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth on a three-run home run by first baseman Skyler Ewing off Hops' starter Nick Baker.

Hillsboro scored three unearned runs of their own in the top of the sixth inning, with two coming on a double by DH George Roberts. Catcher Elvin Soto drove home a run with a seventh-inning base hit to cut the Volcanoes' lead to 6-4. And in the top of the ninth, with two out and no one on base, Hops first baseman Bennie Robinson walked and advanced to second on defensive indifference. Soto singled Robinson home to make it 6-5.

Up stepped the newest Hops player, third baseman Jake Mayers, playing his first game with Hillsboro after his transfer from Rookie-level Missoula. With the Hops down to their last out, Mayers singled past Salem-Keizer shortstop Christian Arroyo to tie the game. E.J. Encinosa came out of the Volcanoes' bullpen to retire Hops left fielder Grant Heyman on a ground-out to second base.

In the bottom of the ninth, Salem-Keizer third baseman Will Callaway clubbed a leadoff double to center off Hops reliever Austin Platt, the seventh time in nine innings the Volcanoes had put the leadoff man aboard. A passed ball put sent Callaway to third base, and after Ewing walked and took second, Relaford stepped in. He drove one into the right field corner to score Callaway with the game-winner.

The Hops (14-9) have a three-game lead on each of the three other teams in the division, Boise, Eugene and Salem-Keizer, who are all 11-12. There are 15 games remaining in the first half of the season.

Hillsboro finishes the series at Salem-Keizer on Sunday at 5:15 (Pacific). The game marks the 100th in Hops' franchise history.The radio pregame show begins at 4:45 PM on Rip City Radio 620 AM, and on the internet at www.foxsportsradio620.com. Mobile listeners should download the iHeartRadio app.

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Northwest League Stories from July 6, 2014


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