Volcanoes downed by Railey's walk-off hit

HILLSBORO, Oregon - The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes fell to the Hillsboro Hops Wednesday night by a score of 4-3 at Ron Tonkin Field. The Hops came back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 in the game, winning on a walk-off infield single in the bottom of the ninth by left fielder Matt Railey.  

The game looked like it was going to be all Volcanoes early on as they took advantage of first inning mistakes by Hillsboro. Salem-Keizer third baseman Manuel Geraldo led off the game with a walk and shortstop Ryan Howard quickly followed with a single to right field. The ball was misplayed by Hops right fielder Jason Morozowski, allowing Geraldo to score the first run.  

That was not all for the Volcanoes in the first, as right fielder Heath Quinn hit a ball up the middle that was cut off by Hops second baseman Adam Walton. The ball was thrown away trying to get Quinn at first, allowing Howard to score.  

Salem-Keizer continued to threaten in the first inning, with two-out walks issued to center fielder Ashford Fulmer and first baseman John Riley. The Volcanoes, however, would eventually leave the bases loaded.

Salem-Keizer's quick start in the top of the first inning was paired with a strong outing by starter Raffi Vizcaino. The right-hander made it through the first three innings without surrendering a hit, only issuing walks in the first and second innings.  

Hops first baseman Justin Chigbogu broke up the no hitter and the shutout with one swing in the fourth inning with an opposite field home run to left. Designated hitter Alexis Olmeda followed with a single, but Vizcaino was able to finish the inning without allowing any more damage.  

After a rough first inning for Hops starter Jeferson Mejia, the right-hander was able to settle down, facing the minimum over the next three innings. His only blemish during this span was a broken bat infield single on a chopper to third by Geraldo, who was promptly picked off of first base.

Mejia soon ran into more trouble in the fifth. Volcanoes left fielder Gio Brusa, playing in his first professional game, hit an RBI single, extending the Salem-Keizer lead to 3-1. The hit scored second baseman Kevin Rivera, who singled earlier in the inning.

Mejia finished up allowing three runs, two of them earned, on five hits, six strikeouts and three walks over five innings pitched.

For the Volcanoes, Vizcaino gave up one run on three hits, two walks and six strikeouts over the course five innings. Neither starter got the decision.

Caleb Simpson relieved Vizcaino in the sixth inning, only to run into some trouble. Hops catcher Luke Lowery hit a high pop up that landed at the feet of Riley and Quinn, just inside the foul line for a single.  

After another hit and a walk, the Hops had the bases loaded for shortstop Sergio Alcantara, who also worked a walk, bringing Hillsboro within one run, 3-2.   Simpson was able to limit the damage from there, as the Hops left the bases loaded.

Hillsboro tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh, as the speedy center fielder Marcus Wilson led off with a walk and promptly stole second base. Wilson moved to third on a sacrifice fly off the bat of third baseman Josh Anderson. The center fielder eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to right field that was misplayed by Quinn, but the Volcanoes limited the damage in the inning.

Hops reliever Jake Winston preserved the tie, striking out the side in the eighth, and two more in the ninth.  

Anderson led off the bottom of the ninth with a single for the Hops, and advanced to second on the next pitch on a balk by Rayan Hernandez. Hernandez walked the next two batters. Railey beat out a slow chopper to second base with the bases loaded and two outs, securing the win for Hillsboro.

Winston got the win in relief for the Hops, going 1-0 on the year. Hernandez was saddled with the loss for the Volcanoes, falling to 0-1.  

With the loss, the Volcanoes fall below .500 for the first time since Opening Night, and will look to secure a win in the final game of the series tomorrow, June 30. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Hillsboro at Ron Tonkin Field.