Indians' Big Second Inning Costs Hops
Hillsboro, OR (August 13, 2022) – Both teams had double digit hit totals in the game, but a five-run second inning was the difference for the Indians, in their 9-4 win. Jordan Lawlar reached base four times and Ryan Bliss extended his hit streak to nine games on his ninth
Hillsboro, OR (August 13, 2022) – Both teams had double digit hit totals in the game, but a five-run second inning was the difference for the Indians, in their 9-4 win. Jordan Lawlar reached base four times and Ryan Bliss extended his hit streak to nine games on his ninth home run of the year. Ronaiker Palma had a four-hit game for Spokane, with Drew Romo hitting a double and triple in his return from the IL.
Spokane got things started early in the second inning batting around against Luke Albright, plating five runs on three walks, three hits, a wild pitch and hit-by-pitch. Palma had his first of four hits, Eddy Diaz tripled and Bladimir Restituyo hit a three-run home run, giving Spokane a 5-0 advantage.
Ryan Bliss got the Hops on the board in the third on a 3-2 pitch, hitting his ninth home run of the season, after a long at-bat against Case Williams.
Drew Romo made his first appearance since July 23rd and didn’t miss a beat. He hit an RBI triple in the fourth, extending the Indians’ lead to 6-1 and bringing in his 49th RBI.
The Hops chased Williams in the fifth, after five of the first six hitters reached base. Jordan Lawlar had an RBI single and Neyfy Castillo walked with the bases loaded, to bring the Hops within three, 6-3. Lawlar is 6-for-11 in the series, with a .500 OBP and 11 RBI over the last 10 games.
Connor Grammes and Hugh Fisher would each give up an earned run, but combined for seven strikeouts over three innings. Spokane scored one run in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Julio Carreras hit his Minor League-leading 36th double in the sixth inning. Spokane had three triples in the game, the second most for a Hops’ opponent this season. The top three hitters in the order all had two-hit games for the Indians.
Jordan Lawlar was three-for-four with a walk, Channy Ortiz had two-hits and Gary Mattis Jr hit his third double of the series, but Hillsboro pitching had four wild pitches in the game, with three directly resulting in a run, in the 9-4 loss.
Hillsboro (46-59) and Spokane (55-49) will play the finale at Ron Tonkin field on Sunday. The pre-game show will start at 12:50, with first pitch at 1:05 on Rip City Radio 620 and MiLB.tv.