Anderson's late homer steals victory for Hops

HILLSBORO, OR - Friday nights game hummed along without much to report. Then, the eighth inning happened. The plot took a sharp turn when Hops third baseman Josh Anderson turned on an offering from Boise pitcher Justin Lawrence. The ball sailed over the left field fence for a clutch two-run home run that gave the Hops a 3-2 victory over the visiting Boise Hawks.

So how'd we get there? Tyler Bolton got the start for the Hops and pitched admirably. The big right-hander went seven strong, scattering seven hits and allowing only two unearned runs. The outing dropped his ERA on the season to 3.86, and though he has pitched well all season, he has been bitten by bad luck and hasn't yet recorded a victory.

Hillsboro got the party started in the bottom of the fourth inning. Catcher Alexis Olmeda doubled to left center, and first baseman followed with another double to plate the Olmeda.

Boise would make the score 2-1 with a tally each in the fifth and sixth innings. Hawks shortstop Carlos Herrera scored in the fifth on a wild pitch by Bolton and catcher Hamlet Marte doubled home Brian Mundell in the sixth.

The Hops couldn't manage a run in the fifth, sixth, or seventh innings, but Bolton did his part to keep the game close, just as he has all season.

All of this made it more dramatic when the Hops went searching for the tying run in the bottom of the eighth. Newcomer Jake Peevyhouse led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on an errant pickoff throw by Lawrence. When Fernery Ozuna lined out and Olmeda grounded out, it looked like Lawrence may wriggle off the hook.

San Diego native Josh Anderson would have none of that, as he drilled a two-run home run to left field for a 3-2 lead. The crowd went wild as the third baseman trotted around the bases for his first ever professional home run.

The promotion of Ryan Burr to Kane County meant that the Hops had a new closer, and Brody Greer got the first crack at it. He worked around a hit and a walk, but retired Eric Toole on a line out to shortstop to preserve the 3-2 victory and his first save. The scoreless inning lowered his ERA to a sparkling 0.89.

It's a 5:03 Saturday start time for the Hops and Hawks as Hillsboro goes for the three game sweep. Pitcher Brett Shankin will make his Hops debut on the hill in the series finale. Pregame radio is at 4:30 on Rip City Radio 620 AM and at www.ripcityradio.com.

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