Early Runs Lead to Series-Opening Win
VANCOUVER, B.C. --- Undaunted by an early morning 330-mile bus ride and a long trip through customs at the U.S.-Canada border, the Hillsboro Hops scored four times in the first inning and held on to beat the Vancouver Canadians 4-3 on Saturday night at Nat Bailey Stadium. Hillsboro (16-14) remains
VANCOUVER, B.C. --- Undaunted by an early morning 330-mile bus ride and a long trip through customs at the U.S.-Canada border, the Hillsboro Hops scored four times in the first inning and held on to beat the Vancouver Canadians 4-3 on Saturday night at Nat Bailey Stadium. Hillsboro (16-14) remains one game out of first in the South Division, with eight games remaining in the first-half pennant race.
The Hops arrived at their hotel with barely time to drop their bags before they had to head to the park for the series opener. And once the game started, they went to work quickly.
An error on Vancouver shortstop
But immediately, the Hops had defensive issues of their own. Vancouver put runners at first and third with one out in the bottom of the first. Canadians DH
At that point, Hops starter
After the first inning, the Hops couldn't advance a runner to third base the rest of the night. But their pitching was up to the task.
Hops closer
The last hope for the C's was their catcher,
Hillsboro finished with eight hits, three of them singles by Smith. Along with Duzenack's double,
The Hops are now in a second-place tie with Boise, which lost 8-7 in ten innings at home to Tri-City. Both clubs are one game behind Eugene, which held on for a 4-3 win at home against Everett.
Vancouver (18-12) still has the best record in the league, though their lead in the North Division fell to just two games over Tri-City.
Game two of the five-game series at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium is at 1:05 PM on Sunday. The radio pregame show begins at 12:35 on Rip City Radio 620AM and www.HillsboroHops.com.