Hops Keep Rolling, Cruise Past Dust Devils 9-1 for Seventh Straight Victory

August 6, 2026 (Pasco, WA) - The Hillsboro Hops continued their hot stretch Thursday night, overpowering the Tri-City Dust Devils 9-1 to extend their winning streak to seven games and continue their climb back into the Northwest League playoff picture with just 27 games remaining in the regular season. Carlos Virahonda turned in one of his best performances of the season, collecting four hits and a home run, while Kayson Cunningham added a solo blast as Hillsboro powered their way to another win. Wellington Aracena was brilliant over six innings where he didn’t allow a run or walk a batter.

The Hops struck first in the third inning after taking advantage of shaky Tri-City defense and command issues from starter Yeferson Vargas. Yassel Soler crossed the plate on a wild pitch before Jose Alpuria came home on a fielder's choice.

Tri-City managed its lone run in the bottom half of the first, but that was all the offense the Dust Devils could muster against a dominant Hillsboro pitching staff. Harold Coll hit his ninth home run of the season off Patrick Forbes in the frame.

For the third time in as many games, the Hops took control early and never allowed Tri-City to gain any momentum. Virahonda gave the Hops the lead right back in the third inning on his 17^th home run of the season, his second hit of the game drove home his 77^th RBI of the year. Hillsboro added two more runs in the inning on a fielders choice and wild pitch to make it 4-1. The Hops then blew the game open in the fourth as Virahonda singled to continue his perfect night at the plate before Cunningham crushed a solo homer to center field, extending the lead to 6-1. Later in the inning, Virahonda scored on a passed ball as Hillsboro continued to pile on against the Tri-City bullpen.

Hillsboro added another insurance run in the sixth when Jakey Josepha brought home Virahonda with a groundout, pushing the margin to 8-1. The Hops capped the scoring in the eighth. Jose Alpuria doubled before Yassel Soler lined an RBI double to left, and Kenny Castillo later drove in another run with a groundout to make it 9-1.

Virahonda finished 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs and multiple runs scored, reaching base five times after drawing a ninth-inning walk. Hillsboro was just 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and stranded 14 runners on base, but still came away with the big victory.

After hitting five home runs last night, the Hops added two on Thursday to give them seven homers in the series.

On the mound, Hillsboro's pitching staff was equally impressive. After Patrick Forbes opened the game, Joe Ariola bridged the middle innings before Wellington Aracena slammed the door with six scoreless innings of relief. Aracena scattered only a pair of hits, struck out four and retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced as the Dust Devils never mounted a serious threat after the third inning. Ariola recorded the win in his High-A debut.

With the victory, Hillsboro has now won seven consecutive games and continues to surge back into postseason contention entering the final month of the season. The Hops will look to keep their momentum rolling in the fourth game of the six-game series Friday night against the Dust Devils.