Win streak snapped in extra-innings loss

HILLSBORO, OR - The Hops entered the series opener with the Boise Hawks flying high, riding a season-long six-game winning streak. As with all good things, it came to an end Friday night in a 7-4 10-inning loss.

It was the third and final regional television broadcast of the season for the Hops, as Comcast SportsNet Northwest carried the game throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Hops had won their prior two television games, but fell Friday night to drop their record to 2-1 when broadcast regionally.

Hops starter Anfernee Benitez pitched beautifully. He threw six innings of outstanding baseball, yielding just a single unearned run. He struck out three to reclaim the Northwest League lead in strikeouts with 69, passing teammate Tyler Mark who has 67.

Hillsboro carried a 4-1 lead into the late innings, but their typically staunch bullpen uncharacteristically stumbled. Riley Smith came in and allowed three hits and a walk while giving up two runs. Manager Shelley Duncan lifted Smith and inserted Colin Poche, who avoided more damage in the inning. The Hops left the seventh inning clinging to a 4-3 lead.

In came Touchdown Tommy Eveld whose inning was smooth. He worked around a two-out walk to record a scoreless frame.

Curtis Taylor received the save opportunity for Hillsboro and couldn't make it stand up. Boise first baseman Jacob Bosiokovic led off the inning by rifling one right back off of Taylor. It caromed off of Taylor's glove to shortstop Mark Karaviotis, who had a play on Bosiokovic at first. His throw sailed wide and into the first-base stands, sending Bosiokovic to second base.

Hawks second baseman Antony Brito followed with a single up the middle to tie the score at 4.

The game went to extras where Hops reliever Matt Pobereyko couldn't find his footing. Four Hawks notched hits and by the time the inning was over, Hillsboro faced a 7-4 deficit in the bottom of the tenth.

The Hops went quietly in the bottom of the tenth, but credit must be given to the Boise bullpen. After starting pitcher Kyle Cedotal struggled through four innings, Brandon Gold, Jared Gesell and Justin Lawrence posted six sterling innings of shutout baseball to give the offense a chance to climb back into the game.

Boise did and claimed the series opener.

The middle game of the three-game set is Saturday at Ron Tonkin Field. First pitch will be at 5:03 PM with pregame radio beginning at 4:30 PM on Rip City Radio 620 AM.