Early Runs Lead to Series-Opening Win

VANCOUVER, B.C. --- Undaunted by an early morning 330-mile bus ride and a long trip through customs at the U.S.-Canada border, the Hillsboro Hops scored four times in the first inning and held on to beat the Vancouver Canadians 4-3 on Saturday night at Nat Bailey Stadium. Hillsboro (16-14) remains one game out of first in the South Division, with eight games remaining in the first-half pennant race.
The Hops arrived at their hotel with barely time to drop their bags before they had to head to the park for the series opener. And once the game started, they went to work quickly.

An error on Vancouver shortstop Kevin Vicuña opened the door in the top of the first, and the Hops strung together four consecutive hits --- by Eudy Ramos, Pavin Smith, Camden Duzenack and Daulton Varsho --- to score four runs (two earned) off Vancouver starter Juan Nunez.
But immediately, the Hops had defensive issues of their own. Vancouver put runners at first and third with one out in the bottom of the first. Canadians DH Riley Adams hit a double-play ball to Ramos, but the Hops' third baseman threw the ball wide of second base and into right field. A run was home, and then David Jacob's sacrifice fly plated a second run. The Hops' lead was cut in half, 4-2.
At that point, Hops starter Luis Madero (just up from Rookie-level Missoula to replace the injured Jhoan Duran in the rotation) settled in. He pitched around his own error in the third, and allowed just one run despite two errors in the fifth. He finished with six innings, allowing three runs (just one earned).
After the first inning, the Hops couldn't advance a runner to third base the rest of the night. But their pitching was up to the task.
Matt Peacock came on in relief of Madero to start the seventh. Peacock retired five of the six hitters to face him, allowing only a walk --- and he has now retired 29 of the last 31 batters to face him without allowing a hit. Anfernee Benitez struck out the only batter he faced, Kacy Clemens --- son of Roger Clemens --- to end the eighth.
Hops closer Erbert Gonzalez (his first name is pronounced "EL-bear") came on to protect the 4-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth. He walked the first man to face him, Brock Lundquist, but a diving play by Duzenack at short got the first out of the inning. On the play, Lundquist advanced second base representing the potential tying run. Deiferson Barreto hit a comebacker, and Lundquist was hung up between second and third. Gonzalez threw to Ramos, who tagged Lundquist out.
The last hope for the C's was their catcher, Matt Morgan. Gonzalez struck him out on an 0-2 pitch to end the game and earn his sixth save. Madero got the win in his Northwest League debut.
Hillsboro finished with eight hits, three of them singles by Smith. Along with Duzenack's double, Dan Swain also a two-bagger --- and all four of his professional hits are doubles.
The Hops are now in a second-place tie with Boise, which lost 8-7 in ten innings at home to Tri-City. Both clubs are one game behind Eugene, which held on for a 4-3 win at home against Everett.
Vancouver (18-12) still has the best record in the league, though their lead in the North Division fell to just two games over Tri-City.
Game two of the five-game series at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium is at 1:05 PM on Sunday. The radio pregame show begins at 12:35 on Rip City Radio 620AM and www.HillsboroHops.com.