Ems Held To Two Hits In Hillsboro

In the first game of a three-game series in Hillsboro, Oregon, the Emeralds offense was held to just two hits on the evening as the Hillsboro Hops picked up a 1-0 win in front of a crowd of 3,712 at Hillsboro Ballpark.

In a game that lasted just one hour and fifty-nine minutes, the lone run of the ballgame came in the bottom of the fourth inning. With both sides failing to notch a hit through the first three and a half innings, Steve Nyisztor singled with one out in the fourth before stealing second base, his tenth stolen base in twelve attempts this season. Two batters later, Grant Heyman singled to bring home Nyisztor and give the Hops the 1-0 lead.

That was all the offense the Hops would need as their pitching staff put forth a performance outing on Saturday, highlighted by starting pitcher Brad Keller. Keller, who was making his first start as a Hillsboro Hop after being promoted from the Arizona League, tossed six scoreless innings while allowing only two baserunners (one hit, one walk) to go along with eight strikeouts. Markus Solbach, Tyler Toyfair, and Dustin Loggins each pitched an inning while striking out five Emeralds batters combined.

Emeralds starting pitcher Travis Radke, a University of Portland product making only his second start of the season, was stellar in his own right, tossing four innings with seven strikeouts while allowing only one run on two hits and one walk.

The Emeralds and Hops face off again tomorrow at Hillsboro Ballpark for the second game of the three-game series. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 1:35pm, with coverage starting at 1:20pm on 95.3FM, EmeraldsBaseball.com, and the MiLB First Pitch app. The Emeralds will send left-hander Payton Baskette to the mound while the Hops will counter with right-hander Ben Eckels.