Big Innings Boost Hops Over Dust Devils

An early lead for the Tri-City Dust Devils (9-15 2H, 38-49) disappeared in a two-inning burst from the Hillsboro Hops (10-14 2H, 39-49) offense Sunday afternoon, with the Hops collecting a 14-5 win at Ron Tonkin Field to take the series two games to one.

The Dust Devils scored in their first at-bat to take a 1-0 lead when Gabe Matthews doubled down the right field line, scoring Osmy Gregorio for the game’s first run.

Tri-City then doubled the lead in the 4th inning. Mike Wilson drew a walk and Jose Guzman doubled to right to put runners at second and third with one out. Christian Molfetta then grounded a ball to shortstop far enough that Wilson could score from third. The RBI groundout made it 2-0 to the visitors.

It began to unravel in the bottom of the 4th inning when Hillsboro, playing as Los Sonadores de Hillsboro as part of MiLB’s Copa de la Diversion, got to starter Brent Killam (1-1). The lefty, who had retired nine in a row at one point in his outing, gave up four runs and could not make it out of the 4th.

Still a 4-2 game in the 5th inning, the Hops then plated eight runs in bottom of the inning, capped by a Ryan Bliss grand slam to give the home side a 12-2 lead.

The Dust Devils kept fighting, scoring three runs in the 7th inning to draw closer. Kyren Paris led off with a walk, and D’Shawn Knowles ran out an infield single to put two aboard. Gregorio then lined a double inside the first base bag and down the right field line, scoring both Paris and Knowles.

Gabe Matthews then singled to left center, scoring Gregorio to get it to a 12-5 Hillsboro lead. The Hops added two runs in the 8th for the final margin, providing plenty of run support for starter Jamison Hill (6-5), who went five innings for the win.

Offensively, both Matthews and Steven Rivas had multi-hit games, each reaching three times via a single, a double and a walk. On the mound, Brandon Dufault and Houston Harding each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Tri-City moves on, starting a six-game series against the Spokane Indians on a Coca-Cola Tuesday night at Gesa Stadium. 21 oz. Coca-Cola products will be $2 throughout the night, as southpaw Jose Salvador gets the start for the Dust Devils and righty Will Ethridge counters for the Indians.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with the King Beverage Budweiser Pregame Show on the air at 6:50 p.m. at dustdevilsbaseball.com and the MiLB First Pitch app.

Tickets for the series, including the return of the Columbia River Rooster Tails Friday-Sunday, and all games are on sale now. Ticket packages are also available and start at just $99, and special ticket rates are available for groups of 20 or more. For more information on Dust Devils single game, season, mini-plan (11, 22, 33) and group tickets, visit dustdevilsbaseball.com or call 509-544-8789.