Walks, Hit Batters Cost Hops in Opener at Spokane
August 9, 2023 - Northwest League (NWL)
Hillsboro Hops News Release
An old bugaboo reappeared for the Hops Tuesday night at Avista Stadium as five Hillsboro hurlers combined to issue 10 free passes in a 7-2 loss to the Spokane Indians in the first game of a six-game series in Spokane Valley.
Each team had eight hits on the night, with Wilderd Patino contributing a pair of doubles and David Martin hitting his second Hops homer and third of the season.
Hillsboro hung around to the late innings thanks to Spokane's inability to deliver the backbreaking blow. The Tribe left 14 runners on including bases loaded twice.
However, Spokane catcher Ronaiker Palma snuffed out a couple Hops rallies, gunning down three attempted base stealers, all ending innings. The Venezuelan backstop also contributed two RBI on a bases loaded walk and an RBI ground out.
Hops starter Dylan Ray (6-5) dropped his second consecutive decision, walking three and allowing two hits and two runs in in the first innings before departing with two outs. Ray has failed to pitch out of the first inning in each of his two starts at Avista Stadium and fell to 0-3 against the Indians this season.
Spokane starting pitcher Cullen Kafka, a former Oregon Duck, was likewise ineffective, out after four. But Evan Shawver came on to pitch three scoreless innings of relief, fanning five to earn the victory.
The Indians and Hops return Wednesday night for game two, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m., pregame airtime at 6:20 on Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Northwest League Stories from August 9, 2023
- Triumphant in Ten: Hops Even Series at Spokane - Hillsboro Hops
- Emeralds Drop Game 2 Against Everett - Eugene Emeralds
- Emerson Hancock Heading to the Bigs - Everett AquaSox
- Dust Devils Hit the Road for 12 Games - Tri-City Dust Devils
- AquaSox Open Road Trip with 6-0 Win - Everett AquaSox
- Emeralds Shut Out in Series Opener vs Everett - Eugene Emeralds
- Walks, Hit Batters Cost Hops in Opener at Spokane - Hillsboro Hops
- Dust Devils Walked off by Canadians in Extras - Tri-City Dust Devils
- Rios Blasts C's to Walk-off Win - Vancouver Canadians
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