Luke Is a Force
August 7, 2016 - Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
Luke Lowery didn't quite match Ramon Hernandez's single-game total bases or RBI records Sunday night, but the Hops catcher had not one, but two shots at the first cylcle in HIllsboro history. Lowery went 5-for-5 with a homer, three doubles and five runs batted in as the Hops (7-3 2nd half, 26-22 overall) outslugged the Everett AquaSox 9-7 Sunday afternoon at Everett Memorial Stadium.
It was Lowery's second game of the series with four hits or more and the Hops fourth performance of four hits or more in four games as they clinched the five-game series, staying two games up on Salem-Keizer and Eugene in the Northwest League South Division second half race.
It was the Hops' second comeback win of the series, but they only trailed for a matter of minutes. After Everett (6-4, 24-24) scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-3 lead, the Hops came right back with four of their own in the top of the fifth. Jason Morozowski led off with a single and scored when Mark Karaviotis' single to center was bobbled by Eric Filia for an error. With Karaviotis at second, the game tied 4-4 and one out, Luke Lowery jumped on a belt-high first pitch from Everett starter Ljay Newsome (4-2) and hit his second home run as a Hop and first since the opening game of the Northwest League season. At that point, Lowery was 3-for-3 and a triple away from the cycle and the Hops had a 6-4 lead.
The Hops added to their lead in the fifth when Justin Chigbogu greeted reliever Dillon Moyer, son of former Mariner Jamie, with a stinging single to center on a 3-0 pitch. It was Moyer's debut at Everett after playing three years at shortstop in the Dodgers system. Ramon Hernandez singled later in the inning to drive in Chigbogu. The Hops tallied two more runs off Moyer in the sixth as Lowery took his first crack at the cycle.
In the opening game of the series, Lowery hit three doubles, but was caught in a rundown on one of them after Josh Anderson was held at third and Lowery tried to stretch to a triple. The same situation presented itself Sunday with Anderson on first following a two-out single in the sixth. Lowery followed with a drive over the head of right fielder Jose Leal to the wall. This time manager Shelley Duncan waved home Anderson, who scored without a throw, ostensibly to open the base for Lowery to try for the triple, But Lowery stopped at second, content with the double. He would come to the plate one more time in the eighth and drove a ball off the right center field wall, but Filia quickly got the ball back into the infield and Lowery just beat the throw to second with a slide for his third two-bagger of the game.
His 11 total bases fell one short of the record set three nights previously by Hernandez, who had two homers and a double among his five hits in a 9-4 Hops win in the series opener. Lowery's five runs batted in also tied him with a handful of Hops for second in a single game, behind Hernandez's six.
Junior Garcia started on the mound for Hillsboro and had yet to allow a hit with one out in the fourth inning and the Hops leading 3-0. Johmbeyker Morales broke up the no-hitter with a bunt single and Dimas Ojeda followed with a two-run home run. David Greer drove in two runs with a double later in the inning and Garcia left the game with the Hops trailing 4-3. Jefferson Mejia (4-2) struck out Kristian Brito with runners at first and second to end the inning, then allowed a pair of doubles and a run in the fifth as Everett made it 7-5 Hops.
Back-to-back RBI doubles by Lowery and Chigbogu in the sixth raised the Hops lead to 9-5, before Everett countered with four hits and two runs off Riley Smith in the seventh inning, Brito driving in Greer and Filia with a single. Tommy Eveld pitched two scoreless innings before Curtis Taylor nailed down his first pro save with a scoreless ninth inning. The 6-6 hurler from British Columbia did allow his first hit, but has yet to allow a run in seven appearances, striking out 10 with three walks in seven total innings.
Greer has made an impressive comeback from a five-week injury layoff, reaching base in seven consecutive plate appearances. The former ASU Sun Devil went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI and a run scored. Morales was 3-for-5 with a pair of runs for the AquaSox. Morozowski and Karaviotis each scored two runs for Hillsboro and Stephen Smith hit his second pro home run in the fourth inning.
The Hops have now won seven of their last eight series as they enter the finale at Everett. Monday night's game will be a dual of NWL All-Star pitchers with Tyler Mark on the hill for the Hops against Everett's Brandon Miller. Game time is 7:05 p.m. with the pregame airtime at 6:35 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 August 7, 2016
- Luke Is a Force - Hillsboro Hops
- Emeralds Shine Too Bright For Vancouver On Sunday - Vancouver Canadians
- Super Manny Cant Save Hops - Hillsboro Hops
- Defensive Struggles Cost Dust Devils - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Volcanoes Get First Win of Series over Spokane - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Canadians Comeback Falls Short In Eugene - Vancouver Canadians
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