Schultz Struggles as Hops Drop Game Two Against Boise

The Hillsboro Hops starting pitching returned to shaky form tonight as Scott Schultz struggled through 5.2 innings of seven run baseball as the Boise Hawks took control scoring with five runs in the second inning.

After a scoreless first frame, Schultz trotted out for his second inning of work, and that's when the wheels came off for the Hops' starter. The Hawks tallied four hits in the frame, the most damaging of which was a three run bomb off the bat of Hawks outfielder Rashad Crawford.

Schultz gave up one run in both the third and fourth innings, and the Hops' (34-25) found themselves in a troublesome hole. Despite matching Boise with one run apiece in the third and fourth innings, the Hops entered the fifth inning down 7-2.

Both squads enjoyed stellar performances from their relief pitchers, as the scoring came to a screeching halt after the fourth inning. Southpaw Kyle Anderson threw 2.1 innings of shutout ball as he only allowed one hit while on the mound. Hops' newcomer Rob Wort, acquired from the independent baseball ranks this week, threw a scoreless ninth inning as he struck out the side.

Through the first two games of the Boise series, Hillsboro relievers have thrown 9.1 innings and have allowed only two hits, four walks and no runs in that stretch.

Pedro Ruiz and Stryker Trahan batted in the two lone runs for the Hops, and only Kevin Cron registered more than one hit. Cron is now batting .305 during his time in Hillsboro and is slugging an impressive .618. After his rough 5.2 innings of work, Schultz's record dropped to 3-5 and his ERA rose to 5.43.

Tomorrow's series finale is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. at Ron Tonkin Field against the Boise Hawks. Be sure to catch all of the live action on Rip City Radio 620 AM or www.foxsportsradio620.com. Pre-game starts at 1:05.