Big First Inning for Hops in Third Straight Win
Everett, WA (August 5, 2022) – The Hops have scored first in six of their last seven games, with the first run coming in the first inning in all six contests. That trend continued Friday, as they put up a six-spot in the first against Jordan Jackson. Jordan Lawlar hit
Everett, WA (August 5, 2022) – The Hops have scored first in six of their last seven games, with the first run coming in the first inning in all six contests. That trend continued Friday, as they put up a six-spot in the first against Jordan Jackson. Jordan Lawlar hit his first High-A home run and four Hillsboro relivers had scoreless outings, in the 9-4 win.
Hillsboro sent 11 men to the plate in the first inning, including Ryan Bliss picking up two hits in the frame. Jordan Lawlar got the scoring started with a three-run shot, his first homer as a Hop and the fifth long ball of the series for the team. They weren’t done there, scoring three more in the inning. Wilderd Patino hit a high chopper, over the drawn in infield, picking up two-RBI on the single. Neyfy Castillo drove in the final run of the inning, a double, for his first of two extra-base hits. Hillsboro had a 6-0 lead after the first half-inning.
Everett starter, Jordan Jackson, allowed seven hits and six earned runs, while only recording two outs.
The AquaSox got a run in the bottom of the inning, but that is all they would get home.
Jacen Roberson extended the Hops lead in the fourth, doubling home Castillo, who led off the inning with a triple. It was 7-1 Hops when another extra-base hit scored a run, as A.J. Vukovich hit his second double of the game, this time off Seattle Mariners pitcher (making MLB rehab appearance), Ken Giles.
Yilber Diaz, making his second start for Hillsboro, pitched well through four. He got an inning ending 6-4-3 double play in the third and a one-two-three fourth. He ran into trouble in the fifth, walking the first two batters on six-pitch and nine-pitch at-bats. Both runs came across the plate, as Alberto Rodriguez drove home a run on his 26th double, with two more runs scoring on a throwing error by Lawlar.
Diaz finished four innings, allowing two earned runs and three hits, while striking out five and walking five. The final four innings were scoreless for both teams, as the Hops got great contribution from the bullpen. Goddard, Fisher, Ogando and Larsen pitched a combined five scoreless innings.
The AquaSox were forced to use five relievers, three of which pitched two plus innings. Despite giving up 10 hits and nine earned runs, Everett pitching struck out 16 batters.
Bliss, Vukovich and Castillo all had two hits, with Roberts reaching three times via the free pass. He had the only three walks drawn by Hillsboro.
Hillsboro (43-55) and Everett (48-51) will play game five of the series will be on Saturday at Funko Field. First pitch at 7:05, with the pre-game show starting at 6:50 on Rip City Radio 620.