Disastrous Eighth Inning Sinks AquaSox

HILLSBORO, Ore. - The Hillsboro Hops sent nine batters to the plate in a five run eighth inning in a come-from-behind 9-7 win over the AquaSox. The loss dropped the AquaSox to 14-14 on the season, but with Tri-City and Vancouver also losing, Everett stayed tied for second with the Canadians; one game behind the Dust Devils.

The AquaSox led Hillsboro 7-4 entering the bottom of the eighth. After Marcus Wilson led off the inning with a walk, Anfernee Grier singled to right against AquaSox reliever Elliot Surrey. Alexis Olmeda's RBI single to left scored Wilson to make it 7-5.

One out later, right-hander Paul Covelle (1-2) relieved Surrey. Luke Lowery reached on an infield hit to shortstop, but Grier's attempt to score from second base was snuffed out on Bryson Brigman's easy throw home to catcher Yojhan Quevedo.

With two-out and runners at first and second the trouble really began for the AquaSox. Luis Veras hit a ground ball to shortstop Bryson Brigman who appeared to have trouble getting the ball out of his glove, and everybody was safe to load the bases. The next batter, Mark Karaviotis, walked on a 3-2 pitch from Covelle, which forced in Olmeda to make it 7-6.

Hillsboro second baseman Manny Jefferson followed with a two run single to center to give the Hops an 8-7 lead.

Donnie Walton and Kyle Lewis had three hits apiece for the AquaSox, while Nick Zammarelli and Quevedo each had two hits. Eric Filia walked twice, and hit a two run home run in the fifth inning.

AquaSox starter Brandon Miller allowed neither a hit nor a run in his four innings. He walked one, hit a batter, struck out five and faced one over the minimum.