Salem-Keizer Routs Hillsboro to Even Series
Published on June 19, 2016 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes News Release
KEIZER, OR - The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes got the first win of their 2016 campaign on Saturday night, as they pounded out 14 hits and 14 runs against the visiting Hillsboro Hops at Volcanoes Stadium.
Early on, it was questionable whether this game would take place, as bad weather earlier in the day left the infield in an unplayable condition. The game was delayed one hour and 26 minutes as grounds crew found a solution.
An interesting pitching matchup pitted Volcanoes starter, right hander Hengerber Medina, a converted shortstop, against the 26th ranked prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, right hander Tyler Mark.
Medina had control issues early in the game, with Hops batters taking him deep into counts, before settling in. He wound up scattering four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings with two strike outs.
His only blemish was in the second inning, when Medina issued a leadoff walk to Hops' catcher Luke Lowery, who would eventually score on a sacrifice fly to left field by second baseman Paxton De La Garza. This came on De La Garza's first professional at bat.
Mark retired the first seven batters of the game for the Hops before hitting Volcanoes right fielder Ashford Fulmer with a pitch in the third inning; this is where his day went downhill. Second baseman Kevin Rivera followed with a single, and soon, Salem-Keizer scored their first two runs of the game on two-out singles by both center fielder Juan Rodriguez and designated hitter Leo Rojas. Two batters later, catcher John Riley hit a pop-fly to shallow center that fell at the feet of Hop's shortstop Manny Jefferson and centerfielder Marcus Wilson for a two-RBI double to cap off a four run inning. All nine Volcanoes came to the plate.
The Volcanoes scored two more runs in the fourth on RBI singles by shortstop Manuel Geraldo and Rodriguez.
The fifth inning was even better than the third for Salem-Keizer as 11 hitters came to the plate, seven of them scoring. Hops' pitcher Jose Martinez began the inning with a strike out, but that was the only batter he could keep off the bases. He walked the next two batters, Riley and third baseman Chase Compton, with Riley eventually scoring on an error committed by Hop's third baseman Nic Coffman. Next, a double by Fulmer scored Compton and Gustavo Cabrera. Another error, this time by the pitcher Martinez, set the table for Manuel Geraldo, who hit an RBI double. Rodriguez and Rojas were both hit by pitches, which marked the end of the night for Martinez.
The next Hops' pitcher, righty Tommy Eveld, allowed two of Martinez's runners to score, one on a wild pitch and the other on an RBI groundout by first baseman Zack Bowers, before finally ending the inning.
When the dust settled, the Volcanoes held a 13-2 lead after five innings.
Hillsboro had a chance to crawl back into the game in both the fifth and sixth innings, but couldn't get the clutch hits they needed. In the fifth, right fielder Billy Endris hit a one-out solo home run to right field, but that was all they could muster as the Hops left two runners on. After two hits and a walk in the sixth, the Volcanoes pitcher Matt Pope left three Hops on base, only letting one runner score.
All told, the final score was 14-3. The Volcanoes scored the 14 runs on 14 hits and made two errors in the field. For the Hops, their three runs came on eight hits and three errors in the field.
Right hander Kendry Melo picked up the win in relief for the Volcanoes, while Mark, the Hop's starter, was saddled with the loss.
The Volcanoes are back in action against Hillsboro again Sunday, June 19, for a Father's Day rubber match. First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Northwest League Stories from June 19, 2016
- Leblanc's Big Night Not Enough as Indians Drop Series Finale - Spokane Indians
- Canadians Cruise In Series Finale Vs. Spokane - Vancouver Canadians
- Father's Appreciation Night with the Dust Devils - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Salem-Keizer Routs Hillsboro to Even Series - Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
- Volcanoes Erupt for 14-3 Win over Hops - Hillsboro Hops
- Extra Inning Home Run Sinks Dust Devils - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Phillips Flummoxes Canadians En Route to 5-0 Indians Win - Spokane Indians
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