Hops Ride Pen to Sixth Straight Win
August 11, 2015 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes seem to have figured out Cody Reed. The Hillsboro Hops seem to have figured out the Volcanoes.
Hillsboro improved to 7-1 against Salem-Keizer with a 5-4 win at Volcanoes Stadium Monday night. With wins in the first two games of the three-game series, the Hops have clinched their third consecutive series win over their southern neighbors with one more three-game road trip set for next week. The win also puts the Hops (8-4) alone atop the Northwest League South Division's second-half standings and runs their league-leading overall record to 30-20.
A matchup of NWL All-Star starting pitchers never materialized into anything resembling a pitchers' duel and both bullpens successful picked up the pieces after an explosive first two innings.
With both starting pitchers out of the game, the Hops broke a 4-4 tie in the third when Stephen Dezzi sprinted home with the go-ahead run on a double play ground ball off the bat of Jake Peevyhouse. Dezzi drew a leaoff walk from Salem-Keizer reliever Jaret Leverett (0-2) and advanced to third on a Nate Irving base hit.
Peevyhouse drove in two runs with a two-out base hit in the first inning when the Hops pummelled Salem-Keizer starting pitcher Drew Leenhouts for five hits and four runs, ejecting the fourth-year southpaw after two thirds of an inning.
The 4-0 lead wouldn't last long. Back-to-back first-inning doubles from Junior Amion and Ronnie Jebavy put the Volcanoes on the board and a pair of second-inning home runs tied the score. C.J. Hinojosa cleared the left field fence following a Fernando Pujadas double to draw the Volcanoes within one and Julio Pena banged a shot off the left field light pole to even the score at 4-4.
Two weeks after surrendering ten hits and seven runs to the Volcanoes in less than two innings in a 9-2 loss, Reed allowed seven hits--five for extra bases--and four runs in just two innings.
Will Landsheft (2-2) tossed two scoreless innings of relief, fanning three with a hit and a walk allowed to earn the victory, but three other relievers were equally effective. Kirby Bellow allowed a leadoff triple to Hinojosa in the sixth, but struck out three straight to keep the tying run pinned on base. Taylor Clarke added two more scoreless frames and has yet to allow a run in 17 innings pitched as a pro. Cody Greer nailed down his second straight save and notched his ninth consecutive appearance without allowing an earned run after a scoreless ninth inning that featured some drama and theatrics.
Greer got a big assist his catcher and first baseman. After walking Steven Duggar to lead off the ninth, catcher Alexis Olmeda picked off the Volcanoes' leadoff batter with first baseman Trevor Mitsui making an acrobatic sweep tag after snaring a throw that tailed well into foul territory. Salem-Keizer manager Kyle Haines sprinted across the diamond to argue the call and was ejected by base umpire Derek Thomas.
After walking Amion, Greer got Ronnie Jebavy to pop out to Mitsui in foul territory before fanning Chris Shaw to close out the win.
Olmeda also went 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in Fernery Ozuna for the Hops first run of the game. Ozuna had a pair of doubles and Nate Irving went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Hinojosa finished a double away from the cycle for Salem-Keizer, while Amion (2-4, double, run) and John Riley (1-3, walk) each extended hitting streaks to nine games.
The Hops and Volcanoes close out the series Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. with Tyler Mark getting the start on the hill for Hillsboro. Second-round draft pick Alex Young is due to make his second Hillsboro appearance in a piggyback role. Nolan Riggs will get the start for Salem-Keizer. Pre-game airtime is 6:05 p.m. on Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Northwest League Stories from August 11, 2015
- Hops Go for Seven Straight and a Sweep - Hillsboro Hops
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- Hops Ride Pen to Sixth Straight Win - Hillsboro Hops
- Byrd, Yrizarri Carry Indians to Team Win - Spokane Indians
- Hops Escape with 5-4 Win - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
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