Hops Return Favor, Blank Eugene 4-0

EUGENE, ORE. --- One night after being shut out by Eugene 2-0 in the season-opener, the Hillsboro Hops returned the favor, white-washing the Emeralds 4-0 on Saturday night at P.K. Park.
Hops starter Marcos Tineo got the win in his first start, allowing five singles in his five shutout frames, walking two and striking out five. He was the beneficiary of a questionable call in the bottom of the third. The Ems had runners at first and second, and it looked like Eugene's Luis Vazquez had been hit by a pitch to load the bases with none out. However, plate umpire Kyle Stutz ruled the ball had not hit Vazquez, and three pitches later he struck out. Yonathan Perlaza then struck out as Brandon Vicens was caught stealing third base, a double-play to end the threat.

Hillsboro scored their first run of the season in the top of the fourth to make it 1-0. Kristian Robinson and Jorge Barrosa singled, and with one out Robinson scored on a David Garza Jr. ground-out.
The Hops added two more runs in the fifth on RBI singles by Jesus Marriaga and Ryan January, and one more in the sixth on a triple by Steven Leyton and a wild pitch.
That would be plenty for the Hillsboro bullpen, though not without some tense moments. Hops lefty Franklyn Soriano pitched around two walks and a misplay by January to strand three runners in the sixth. And after submarining righty Jose Cuas worked a 1-2-3 seventh for Hillsboro, Jared Miller came on for the eighth. Miller --- with the Hops on an injury rehab assignment --- was making his first appearance as a Hop since late July of 2015. He issued three four-pitch walks… but also struck out the side, leaving the bases loaded.
Righty Bryan Menendez pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth inning to preserve the shutout.
The Hops (1-1) and Emeralds (1-1) are a game behind Salem-Keizer in the South Division.
The finale of the series is on Sunday at 5:05, with the radio pregame show beginning at 4:35 on Rip City Radio 620 AM.