Comeback Falls Short, Ems Lose Series

It was a night for the dogs at PK Park, as man's best friend was on hand for the annual Dog Day. Unfortunately the Eugene Emeralds could not get the offense going until late as they fell 5-3 to the Hillsboro Hops in front of 2,169 at PK Park.

It started quickly for the Hops (13-7, 38-21) against starter Zach Mort (0-2) when Geraldo Perdomo walked with one out. L. T. Tolbert then doubled down the right field line, moving Perdomo to third.
Mort got Andy Yerzy to strikeout but could not get Francis Martinez as he stroked a single to center. Martinez moved to second after center fielder Fernando Kelli misplayed the ball and two runs scored.
Mort gave up a single to Will Gorman before striking out Ryan January to end the inning.
From there Mort settled in, only giving up a walk and a single in the next three innings. He threw a career high four innings total, giving up four hits and two runs while walking two and striking out five.
Jose Albertos came in after Mort and struggled once again. He sandwiched a pair of walks around a strikeout before Tolbert doubled again, scoring a pair and making it a 4-0 game. Back-to-back wild pitches allowed Tolbert to score and make it 5-0. After another walk, this time to Yerzy, Albertos was done.
Albertos only made it through a third of an inning, giving up three runs on three walks, a hit, and a strikeout.
Riley McCauley came on and closed out the inning, and then pitched a perfect sixth. It was in the bottom of that inning when the Ems (9-11, 23-35) started their comeback. Caleb Knight walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth before Kelli and D. J. Artis flew out.
Andy Weber then drew a walk off Harrison Francis (1-0) before Grant Fennell singled to left, scoring Knight to give the Ems their first run. A pitching change did not slow down the hit train as Luke Reynolds took the first pitch he saw from Yeison Santana down the line in left, scoring Weber from second and moving Fennell to third.
A wild pitch scored Fennell and made it a 5-3 game, but the Ems could get no closer after Santana struck out Velazquez to end the inning and threat.
Casey Ryan threw 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and three walks with a strikeout but no runs as he worked in and out of trouble. Eugenio Palma closed the game out with 1.1 perfect innings with three strikeouts.
The Ems will look to avoid the sweep as they send Paul Richan to the mound on Thursday. The Hops will counter with righty Luis Frias. It is $3 Thursday at PK Park, with tickets, drinks, and parking all just $3. Get tickets at the Box Office or at emeraldsbaseball.com.