Hops Lose at Tri-City, Playoff Hopes Shrink
Pasco, Wash. (Sept. 3, 2024) --- With the Hops’ epic six-run, ninth-inning Sunday comeback win over Vancouver now in the rear-view mirror, Hillsboro came to the Tri-Cities for the season’s final series, trailing Vancouver by three games with six to play. Alas, the Hops’ playoff hopes took a major hit
Pasco, Wash. (Sept. 3, 2024) --- With the Hops’ epic six-run, ninth-inning Sunday comeback win over Vancouver now in the rear-view mirror, Hillsboro came to the Tri-Cities for the season’s final series, trailing Vancouver by three games with six to play. Alas, the Hops’ playoff hopes took a major hit on Tuesday night at Gesa Stadium, as the Tri-City Dust Devils came from behind to beat Hillsboro 9-4. The Hops’ loss, combined with Vancouver’s come-from-behind 8-5 win at home over Eugene, puts Hillsboro four games out with five to play. The Hops’ elimination number is two --- that is, any combination of Hillsboro losses and Vancouver wins totaling two over the season’s final five days, and the Hops’ playoff hopes will be over.
The three-, four- and five-hitters in the Tri-City lineup went a staggering 12-for-14, as Adrian Placencia, Jadiel Sanchez and Juan Flores had four hits each. Flores went 4-for-4 with two doubles and five RBIs, knocking home at least one run with each of his hits. It’s the first time in Hops’ history an opposing team has had three batters each notch four hits in the same game.
The night began on a positive note, with Hillsboro plating a run in the first inning for the fourth consecutive game. But Tri-City came back to score a pair in the bottom of the first off ineffective Hops starter Jacob Steinmetz.
It was 2-1 Dust Devils when Tri-City loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the third on a single, a hit batter and a walk. Alec Baker replaced Steinmetz, and authored what looked to be another remarkable step in a growing late-season stretch for the Hops. Baker retired the next three hitters on a pop-out, and strikeout and a fly out to leave the bases full.
In the top of the fourth Hillsboro forged ahead with a pair of runs against Tri-City starter Joel Hurtado. Jack Hurley legged out a double on a ground ball up the middle, and scored on a two-out single by Junior Franco. Juan Corniel struck out, but Hurtado’s pitch bounced off the catcher, Flores, and to his left. Flores threw wildly down the right field line, and Franco scored from first on a close play at the plate. Corniel went all the way to third, and then scored on Hurtado’s second consecutive wild pitch. The Hops led 4-2.
The advantage didn’t last long. Caleb Ketchup began the bottom of the fourth inning with a routine fly ball, but Hops right fielder Gavin Conticello never saw it in the twilight sky, and it landed 20 feet away from him. Ketchup ended up at second base with a gift double --- remarkably, the only hit for Tri-City not from the three, four and five hitters.
After Joe Redfield laid down a sacrifice bunt, Placencia, Sanchez and Flores each singled off Baker, scoring two runs to tie the game, 4-4.
In the sixth, Hops reliever Matthew Linskey gave up two runs on two hits --- including an RBI double by Flores --- and a wild pitch. And Teofilo Mendez allowed three more to the Dust Devils in the eighth, with Flores knocking home a pair with another two-bagger.
Hurtado worked six innings for Tri-City, allowing five hits and four runs (two earned). And the Hops couldn’t do much with Tri-City’s bullpen, as lefty Leonard Garcia (1.1ip) and hard-throwing righty Jose Fermin (1.2ip) combined to allow just one hit and no runs, with two walks and four strikeouts.
Hillsboro had the makings of another ninth-inning rally after a single and a walk put two on with one out, but Fermin slammed the door from there to earn his third save. Hurtado (9-7) got the win, and Linskey (0-1) took the loss.
Hillsboro is 31-30 in the second half, and 66-60 overall. Tri-City is 25-36 and 51-75.
The Hops hope to simply stay alive on Wednesday, when they will send right-hander Logan Clayton (4-5, 4.20 ERA) to the mound. He’ll be opposed by right-hander Keythel Key (4-8, 5.20 across three levels this year). Airtime will be 6:20PM, with first pitch at 6:35 on Rip City Radio 620AM and www.RipCityRadio.com.
HOW TO LISTEN on Sunday, April 6th
Because of a conflict with the Portland Trail Blazers, on Sunday, April 6th, the Hops game will NOT air on their flagship radio station (Rip City Radio 620AM), nor on their regular online stream. Instead it will only air here: https://www.iheart.com/live/7052 There will be two or three other early season
Hops Crush Emeralds 12-5 with Explosive Offense, Even Series at 1-1
HILLSBORO, OR (April 5, 2025)— The Hillsboro Hops (1-1) hosted the Eugene Emeralds (1-1) on Saturday afternoon for the second game of the season. The Hops' offense showed up, producing 12 runs on 11 hits. The Hops scored eight runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from
Eugene Powers Past Hillsboro for Opening Day Win
HILLSBORO, OR (April 4, 2025)—The Hillsboro Hops took on the Eugene Emeralds for the Opening Day of the season at Hillsboro Ballpark. The sun was shining, and everything seemed set in place for the perfect opening night. That was until Eugene scored eight unanswered runs in the first four innings.
Hillsboro Hops Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster
Hillsboro, OR (April 2, 2025)- The three-time Northwest League champion Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops)—in conjunction with their parent club, the 2023 NL Champion Arizona Diamondbacks—released their 2025 Opening Day roster on Wednesday. The Hillsboro roster will feature the #2 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft Druw Jones, 2024 Diamondbacks’ first
Hillsboro Hops, City of Hillsboro and Mortenson celebrate “Topping Out” of new Ballpark
HILLSBORO, Ore – On Friday, March 7, The Hillsboro Hops, in collaboration with the City of Hillsboro and leading developer and design-builder Mortenson, celebrated the “topping out” of the Hillsboro Hops Ballpark located at 4450 NE Century Blvd. in Hillsboro’s Gordon Faber Recreation Complex. The event commemorated the structure reaching
Hillsboro Hops Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
Hillsboro, Ore. (January 14, 2025) – It was announced today by the Hillsboro Hops and Arizona Diamondbacks that Mark Reed will be managing the Hops in 2025. Reed, a coach on the Hops’ 2024 staff was a third-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2004. Also returning to Hillsboro is
New Ballpark Waitlist Now Open
Hillsboro, Ore. (November 14, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops announced on Thursday that waitlist deposits for the new Hillsboro Hops Ballpark are now available. The Hops’ new ballpark is scheduled to open in April of 2026 and will be a premier year-round baseball and concert venue. This is the first
2025 Hillsboro Hops Home Schedule Released
Hillsboro, Ore. (October 21, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops announced their full 66-game home schedule for 2025 on Monday. The final season in Hillsboro Ballpark will be headlined by 36 weekend games, Star Wars Night, two Craft Beer Nights and 7 Soñadores games. Opening Weekend is highlighted by Opening Night
Hillsboro Hops Fund Banquet Panel Announced
Hillsboro, Ore. (October 17, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops will host the 11th annual Hillsboro Hops Fund Banquet on Saturday, November 23rd at NW Events & Environments in Hillsboro. The event, which is presented by Barclays, will be headlined by a featured conversation “Future is Female” from four prominent women
Haruki Mukohchi Named NWL Trainer of the Year
September 24, 2024 (Hillsboro, OR) - It was announced by The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) that Hillsboro Hops' trainer Haruki Mukohchi has been named the 2024 Northwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year. "I am very honored to receive this award," said Mukohchi. "I would like to thank
Construction Milestone for Hillsboro Hops New Ballpark
Hillsboro, Ore. (September 20, 2024) – A major milestone was reached in the construction of the new Hillsboro Hops Ballpark on Thursday as the first concrete pour took place. 250 cubic yards of concrete was poured onto the new site on the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex. The footings poured on
Hops Split Friday & Saturday games at Tri-City, Set for Sunday Season Finale
PASCO, WASH. (Sept. 8, 2024) --- The Hillsboro Hops played one of their poorest games of the year on Friday night at Gesa Stadium in a 7-3 loss to Tri-City, followed by a crisp 2-1 victory over the Dust Devils on Saturday. And on Sunday night at 6:30, Hillsboro will
Hops' Dramatic Victory Isn’t Enough
PASCO, WASH. (Sept. 5, 2024) --- Junior Franco’s top-of-the-eighth-inning heroics and a clutch save by Yordin Chalas led to a 2-1 victory over the Tri-City Dust Devils on Thursday night at Gesa Stadium. The tense victory kept the Hops’ slim postseason hopes alive… until about 45 minutes later, when Vancouver
Hops Lose at Tri-City, Elimination Number Falls to One
PASCO, WASH. (Sept. 4, 2024) --- Hillsboro wasted several early opportunities on Wednesday night at Gesa Stadium, including leaving the bases loaded in the second and fourth innings, en route to a 5-2 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils. Vancouver lost 10-7 at home to Eugene, delaying the Canadians’ playoff-berth
Hillsboro Hops Partner with Intel to Support STEM Education in Oregon as Part of Strikeouts for STEM Program
Hillsboro, Ore. (September 4, 2024) – In collaboration with the Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops), Intel, the Oregon-based semiconductor manufacturer, is donating $40,000 to the Hillsboro Schools Foundation to support future STEM opportunities for the children of Hillsboro. Intel has committed to donate $30 for every strikeout by a Hops pitcher this
Biggest Comeback in Team History Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
September 1, 2024 (Hillsboro, OR) - The Hops entered the final home game of the 2024 season on Sunday at Hillsboro Ballpark with their season on the line and needing a win versus Vancouver to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Trailing 8-3 with two outs in the ninth inning
Hops Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with 5-2 Win
August 31 (Hillsboro, OR)- The Vancouver Canadians and Hillsboro Hops battled for the second playoff spot on Saturday night at Hillsboro Ballpark. The Hops beat the Canadians 5-2 tonight, but Vancouver still holds a four-game lead in the standings over Hillsboro with seven games left to play. Avery Short had
Hillsboro's Friday Night Hitting Frenzy
Hillsboro, OR (August 30)- The Hillsboro Hops had a dominant win over the Vancouver Canadians on Friday at Hillsboro Ballpark, taking the game 9-3. Jose Cabrera, 2.44 ERA, went up against Kendry Rojas, 2.70 ERA, on the bump in the high-scoring game. Coming off of 8.2 innings of a no-hitter
Hops’ Pitching Staff Allows Ten Earned Runs in Loss to Canadians
August 28 (Hillsboro, OR)—For the second game of the series, the Vancouver Canadians and Hillsboro Hops met at Hillsboro Ballpark. The Canadians started off hot and kept it that way, with the Hops never gaining a lead. Vancouver won 10-5. Although the loss was a tough one, a highlight of
Eighth Inning Explosion Powers Hops to 9-5 Win
Hillsboro, OR (August 27, 2024) – The Hops trailed the Vancouver Canadians by seven games for the final Northwest League playoff spot entering play on Tuesday. Hillsboro needs to win at least five-of-six games from Vancouver to keep hopes alive heading into the final series of the season and they
Gavin Conticello's Clutch Two-Run Homer leads Hops to 5-4 Victory
Hillsboro, OR (August 25, 2024) – The Hillsboro Hops are the only team in the Northwest League to have a winning record against the Spokane Indians in 2024 and they would add to that win total in the series finale. After a heartbreaking 1-0 loss last night, the Hops had
Hops Suffer 1-0 Loss Despite Taking A No-Hitter into the Ninth
August 24 (Hillsboro, OR)- Jose Cabrera made his ninth start of the year, facing off against Yunjanyer Herrera for the Spokane Indians at Hillsboro Ballpark. In one of the best pitching games of the year, Jose Cabrera got charged with the loss despite not allowing a hit for 8.2 innings.
When it Rains it Pours, Hillsboro loses 7-2 to Spokane
August 23 (Hillsboro, OR)- The Spokane Indians and the Hillsboro Hops met up at Hillsboro Ballpark on a rainy Friday night. Hillsboro took a brutal 7-2 loss to Spokane. In the past three games, Hops' pitching staff had only given up three hits combined, and tonight they allowed ten. With
Hops' Pitching Brilliant Again, Holds Spokane to Just Two Hits in 8-2 Win
Hillsboro, OR (August 22, 2024) – A night after Hillsboro held the best hitting team in the Northwest League to just one hit, they would again silence the Indians’ bats. The combination of Jacob Steinmetz, Carlos Rey, Zane Russell and Alfred Morillo allowed just two hits and two runs in