Hops Top Suddenly Surging Tribe
Published on September 1, 2016 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
The Spokane offense has reignited, just in time for the postseason. Unfortunately for the Indians (11-22 2nd half, 30-41 overall), they gave away more early than they could make up late.
The Hillsboro Hops took advantage of wildness by Spokane starting pitcher C.D. Pelham and built an early 6-0 lead on the way to an 8-5 win at Avista Stadium Wednesday.
Pelham (0-6) did not allow a hit, but was pulled from the game with one out in the second inning after walking six Hops batters. Pelham walked the bases full with none out in the first inning, but a double play allowed him to wriggle out of serious trouble, as the Hops (20-13, 39-32) scored just one run despite four free passes in the frame.
There would be no escape in the second inning, which featured a little bit of everything. Two more Pelham walks, a wild pitch and a booted ball at first base put two more runs on the board for the Hops and led to a change on the mound. While Pelham couldn't find the plate, Kevin Lenik couldn't avoid hitting bats. Mark Karaviotis brought home Ben DeLuzio with an RBI single to put the Hops up 4-0. After Jason Morozowski was hit by a pitch, Luke Lowery singled ot load the bases and Alexis Olmeda tacked on two more runs with a base hit to right. Up 6-0 now, the Hops might have extended their lead, but Lowery was thrown out at home on an attempted double steal.
Spokane scored single runs in the fourth and fifth, but Morozowski's two run homer in the sixth inning pushed the Hops lead to 8-2. The Tribe would rally with three runs in the ninth inning off Hops' reliever Kevin Ginkel, but it was too little too late.
Spokane outhit HIllsboro for the third consecutive game (13-12), but was undone by the sloppy start.
Anfernee Benitez (7-5) picked up the win for Hillsboro, allowing two earned runs and seven hits with two strikeouts and one base on balls over five innings. Connor Grey made yet another impressive appearance out of the Hops' bullpen, striking out three batters with one walk over two scoreless innings.
Teenagers Anderson Tejeda and Chad Smith each had three hits for Spokane. Smith doubled twice and Seth Spivey had a double and three runs batted in.
DeLuzio and Olmeda each had three hits for the Hops. Batting in the leadoff spot with Morozowski hitting third, DeLuzio reached base four times and scored three runs. Morozowski scored a pair to go with his two RBI's.
The Hops try to even the five-game series Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. with pregame airtime at 6:05 p.m. 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 September 1, 2016
- Phillips Deals, Kowalczyk Crushes as Indians Win 5-2 - Spokane Indians
- MLB Pedigree Joins Volcanoes for Final Games - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Dust Devils Lose a Heartbreaker - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Hops Top Suddenly Surging Tribe - Hillsboro Hops
- Smith's Big Night Goes for Naught in 8-5 Loss - Spokane Indians
- Rain in Vancouver Slows Down Volcanoes - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
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