Sloppy Hops Routed in Series Finale
Published on July 31, 2014 under Northwest League (NWL1)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
Hillsboro, OR --- It's hard to beat a team three straight times. Combine that with shaky pitching, sloppy defense and quiet bats, and it becomes downright impossible. Boise deconstructed the sloppy Hops 11-2 on the strength of twenty base hits and five Hillsboro errors.
Hillsboro (27-19, 5-3) hosted Special Olympics Respect Night with optimism that they would finally clinch the first home sweep in the team's short two-year history. That dream was soon derailed as Boise greeted Hops starter Scott Schultz rudely with two runs on three hits and a sacrifice fly in the first inning. The Hawks (25-21, 3-5) were relentless and continued to post runs in each of the first seven innings. By the end of seven innings, the Hawks had built the 11-2 lead that would prove to be the final score.
It didn't seem to matter who the Hops put in to pitch. Schultz allowed eight hits in his three innings, only to be relieved by Mike Cetta who yielded eight more hits over two innings. Tyler Toyfair, promoted to Hillsboro just hours earlier, followed Cetta and made his debut, throwing 2 2/3 innings, giving up four hits, walking three, and allowing three earned runs. Toyfair did record his first strikeout for the Hops. Dustin Loggins entered after Toyfair and managed to restore what little order remained, and recorded 1 1/3 innings without allowing any hits or walks.
Danny Lockhart of the Hawks was particularly thorny in the Hops' sides, recording four hits with two doubles and two runs batted in. Northwest League batting average leader Mark Zagunis, Danny Canela, and Bryant Flete all enjoyed three hit days for Boise.
All four Hops newcomers made their debuts in a game they'd quickly like to forget. Stryker Trahan, the 2012 first-round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was hitless in his Hops debut, while Kevin Cron managed to stroke a double. Zach Esquerra returned to the Hops and also couldn't manage a hit. There will be no rest for the weary, as Hillsboro must quickly turn around and face the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium. Ryan Doran (3-3, 2.70) will have the unenviable task of slowing down the Indians, who will counter with Richelson Pena (4-2, 2.84). The game will begin at 6:30 PM in Spokane. Be sure to tune into the pregame show on Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.foxsportsradio620.com at 6:00 PM.
Northwest League Stories from July 31, 2014
- Reggy the Purple Party Dude to Appear at All-Star Game - Eugene Emeralds
- Hillsboro Scores Early and Often on Way to Win - Hillsboro Hops
- Sloppy Hops Routed in Series Finale - Hillsboro Hops
- Scorin' for Doran - Hillsboro Hops
- Volcanoes Use Late Rally to Beat Tri-City - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Hawks Erase 7-0 Deficit to Beat Vancouver 8-7 - Boise Hawks
- Vancouver Blows Seven-Run Lead; Fall 8-7 To Boise - Vancouver Canadians
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