Roberts Hits Two HR, Hops Sweep Boise in Final Series

BOISE, IDAHO --- The Hillsboro Hops didn't let their elimination from the pennant race get them down for their final game of the season.

Far from it.

Knocked out of the race on Sunday when Salem-Keizer won, the Hops completed the three-game series sweep in Boise with a 10-6 win in the final game of the season on Monday. It was Hillsboro's 10th consecutive win on the road.

George Roberts hit two home runs, a solo shot in the first and a three-run homer in the third. It was the second consecutive day a Hillsboro player had two home runs in one game; on Sunday, Zach Esquerra had become the first-ever Hop to do it.

Hillsboro starter Ross Gerdeman worked six innings, allowing six hits and two runs. It was the 11th time in 15 starts Gerdeman worked six or more frames while allowing three or fewer earned runs, tops on the team.

Brian Billigen and Daniel Palka each had three hits for the Hops, while Denver Chavez had two.

Hillsboro had scored in double-figures just twice in their first 74 games --- and none away from Hillsboro Ballpark --- but accomplished the feat in each of the last two. The Hops had won 14-3 on Sunday, and they out-scored Boise 29-9 in the series.

Boise, which finished the regular season by losing four straight, will host Salem-Keizer in game one of the best-of-three South Division series beginning Tuesday.

Hillsboro finished the 76-game season at 34-42; but over the season's final 43 games, the Hops went 26-17, the best mark in the Northwest League during that span.

The Hops finished the second half one game behind Salem-Keizer.