NWL1 Hillsboro Hops

Hops Take Second Straight from Sloppy Spokane

Published on June 21, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release


An error-free game in the field combined with a punchy offense allowed the Hops to transcend nine bases on balls issued by their pitching staff Saturday night.

Hillsboro scored the first five runs of the game for the second night in a row and limited Spokane to just four hits in a 6-3 victory in front of 6,471 at Avista Stadium.

After committing six errors in the first two games of the series, the Hops did not a commit a miscue. Meanwhile, the Indians continued to struggle in the field, committing five errors in the contest, three by third baseman Ti'Quan Forbes. Through three games of the series, the Indians have 11 errors and just four extra base hits.

Quinnton Mack made his professionial debut a memorable one for Hillsboro, collecting hits in his first three at bats, including a pair of doubles. Mack swung at the first pitch thrown to him and broke his bat, but beat out an infield hit to shortstop to lead off the third inning. Indians' lefthanded pitcher Joe Palumbo threw wildly to first in a pickoff attempt, sending the speedy Mack around to third base, from where he scored on Raymel Flores' sacrifice fly to right field to put the Hops up 1-0. A throwing error by shortstop Yeyfrey Yrizarri put Fernery Ozuna on base and Dane McFarland drove him home with a ground rule double to left, the third double in two games for the Hops' center fielder. Luis Veras followed with a sharp single to right on the very next pitch to plate McFarland and put the Hops up 3-0.

Nineteen-year-old lefty Cody Reed, the Diamondbacks' second-round draft pick from 2014, made his Hops debut Saturday and pitched four scoreless, no-hit innings. Unfortunately, Reed's pitch count elevated with several long at bats and three walks in the third and fourth innings. Reed left the game after four innings and 84 pitches. Mike Cetta pitched around two walks in the fifth to put up another scoreless, hitless frame.

The Hops continued to add to their lead as Mack smashed a double off the base of the wall in left and scored on a Raymel Flores infield hit in the fourth inning. Hillsboro made it 5-0 in the fifth, capitalizing on two Forbes errors to score an unearned run.

Spokane finally broke up the no-hitter on a Forbes double to left in the fifth. After Sherman Lacrus walked, Lawrence Pardo replaced Cetta and quickly put out the fire, striking out Diego Cedeno on three pitches before inducing a double play grounder from Doug Votolato.

The Hops lead reached 6-0 in the 7th when Trevor Mitsui homered to left, Hillsboro's 13th extra base hit in three games, compared to just four for Spokane.

The Indians plated three runs in the late innings against the Hops bullpen, although former Arizona State closer Ryan Burr, a 5th round draft selection of the Diamondbacks, pitched a perfect eighth with one strikeout.

Pardo (1-0) was credited with the victory, despite allowing a run in the 7th. He gave up two hits and struck out one with one base on balls in two innings of work. Palumbo (0-1) took the loss for Spokane.

Carlos Hernandez makes his first start for Hillsboro Sunday and Nick Green gets the call for Spokane when the teams meet for game four of the five-game series. Game time is 3:30 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Rip City Radio 620. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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Northwest League Stories from June 21, 2015


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