Eugene, OR - It was a career night for Javier Assad and Aramis Ademan as a huge offense night saw the Emeralds pound out 12 hits and score 11 times as they got back to .500 in the second half and decimated the Hops 11-2 in front of 3,429 at
Eugene, OR - It was a career night for Javier Assad and Aramis Ademan as a huge offense night saw the Emeralds pound out 12 hits and score 11 times as they got back to .500 in the second half and decimated the Hops 11-2 in front of 3,429 at PK Park.
The Ems (3-3, 24-20) got the offense rolling early, thanks in part to a new look lineup, when Brandon Hughes doubled with two down in the bottom of the first. He stole third when Hops (4-2, 26-18) starter Tyler Keele (3-4, 4.01 ERA) spaced and did not notice Hughes running to third.
It proved to be a moot point as Austin Filiere lifted an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall for his second homerun, giving the Ems a 2-0 lead.
They extended it the next inning when Chris Carrier doubled to lead-off the inning and advanced on a wild pitch to third before Jose Gonzalez walked. Keele then balked to score Carrier and then walked Jared Young. Ademan then doubled home Gonzalez and Young to make it a 5-0 game, but the Hops tried to come back.
Hillsboro loaded the bases to start the third before Bryan Araiza grounded into a double play, allowing a run to score. An Assad (2-4, 4.10 ERA) wild pitch allowed the second run to cross the plate, but Assad shut the door from there. He struck out the next six batters over three innings, allowing just one baserunner in that time.
Assad finished by giving up just two runs and two hits, three walks while striking out nine batters, matching his career high. Eugene would get him the runs back in the third with another big inning.
After a Gustavo Polanco single and Michael Cruz doubled, Miguel Amaya hit a soft line drive that landed in front of the right fielder, scoring both runners. Carrier and Gonzalez both singled and Young grounded out to score Amaya before Ademan crushed a ball to left field for another double, scoring a pair and making it a 10-2 game.
The Ems bullpen shut the door after Assad left, with Erich Uelman striking out five batters over two innings and Jake Steffens closing the door in the ninth. Eugene added a run in the eighth when Ademan scored on a wild pitch after his third hit of the night. Ademan finished with two doubles and four RBI, tying his career high.
The series concludes on Sunday as Bailey Clark (0-2, 5.28 ERA) goes for the Ems and Luis Madero (1-0, 4.96 ERA) starts for the Hops. Get your tickets online at emeraldsbaseball.com or calling the box office at 541-342-5367.
