Miller's League-Leading Fifth Win Guides Hops
Published on July 11, 2015 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
Hillsboro Hops Pitcher Jared Miller
(Hillsboro Hops, Credit: Kevin N. Hume/Hillsboro Hops)
HILLSBORO, OR - Pitching in front of his visiting family, Hillsboro starter Jared Miller had the best outing of his career. In front of 3,824 fans at Ron Tonkin Field Friday night, Miller coasted to a complete game, allowing just one unearned run, four hits, and one walk while fanning eight, as the Hops breezed to a 5-1 victory over the Spokane Indians. Miller needed just 96 pitches.
Miller entered the game tied for the Northwest League lead in wins with four, and second in the league in earned run average at 1.04. By the time he was done with the Indians (12-11) on Friday night, he had posted his fifth win, and his ERA had dropped to 0.77. Miller started the season at Long-A Kane County (IL) of the Midwest League, and his strong performance in the early going for the Hops (13-10) makes him an awfully strong candidate for another promotion.
Hillsboro pounced on Spokane starter Cody Palmquist in the first inning. Zach Nehrir doubled to left and would score on a Stephen Dezzi single. Another run would come in the bottom of the second when Hops third baseman Nate Robertson hit his second home run of the season onto the Frontier Family Berm in left field. Robertson would finish the game 3-3, just a triple shy of the cycle.
With a 2-0 lead in tow through two innings, Miller put it into cruise control. The 6'7" left hander out of Vanderbilt baffled Spokane hitters with a fastball in the low 90's and an array of off-speed pitches.
The home team would post two more in the bottom of the 4th with a two-out rally. Robertson doubled to the wall in left, and moved to third on a single by catcher Alexis Olmeda. After Olmeda stole second base, Sergio Alcantara, celebrating his 19th birthday, lined a single into right to plate Robertson and Olmeda.
Olmeda was also responsible for Hillsboro's fifth and final run, when he singled in Robertson who had reached on a single.
All the while as Hillsboro scored, Miller was cruising. A lone Spokane unearned run in the top of the 7th did nothing to disrupt his rhythm.
When all was said and done, Miller had posted a complete game gem, Robertson had the fourth three-hit-game of his career, and Alcantara gave himself a birthday present.
At time of posting, Tri-City was leading the Eugene Emeralds 12-3. Hillsboro presently trails the Emeralds by two games in the Northwest League South Division. Should the Dust Devils lead hold, the division deficit would be reduced to one.
We'll do it all again tomorrow, this time at 5:03. Pregame radio starts at 4:30 PM on Rip City Radio 620 AM and at www.ripcityradio.com.
Images from this story
 Hillsboro Hops Pitcher Jared Miller (Kevin N. Hume/Hillsboro Hops) |
Northwest League Stories from July 11, 2015
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- Dust Devils Return the Favor in Win - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Miller's League-Leading Fifth Win Guides Hops - Hillsboro Hops
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