August 13 (Hillsboro, OR)- Despite recording a combined 13 strikeouts, the Hillsboro Hops dropped game three of the series against the Eugene Emeralds 9-1. The Emeralds outhit the Hops eleven hits to four. The Hops go into game four of the series up two games to one.
Eugene plated three runs in the top of the first off of Hops’ starter Caden Grice. It started with a leadoff single, and a throwing error by third baseman Yassel Soler allowed the next runner to reach, and a single made it 1-0. On a strikeout, both runners on advanced to scoring position. A passed ball by catcher Ivan Luciano scored another run, extending the Emeralds' lead to 2-0. A fielder’s choice made it a 3-0 ballgame.
Slade Caldwell hit a leadoff single, and José Mejía drew a walk to put two on for Hillsboro in the bottom of the frame. A groundout then advanced both runners. Carlos Virahonda grounded into a fielder’s choice to plate the Hops' first run of the game, with the Hops still down 3-1.
Lisbel Diaz homered off of Grice in the top of the third, putting Eugene up 4-1. The Emeralds hit three doubles in the top of the fifth, scoring their fifth and sixth runs of the game to give them a 6-1 lead over Hillsboro.
Grice went six innings and struck out six batters. He gave up six runs, four of which were earned. Luke Dotson took over on the bump in the seventh. Three singles plated the seventh run, and two more hits made it 9-1. Dotson settled down in the eighth, striking out two before Joe Ariola took over. He struck out two in 1.1 innings of work, but the Emeralds' lead was enough to secure the win over the Hops.
The Hops travel to Eugene to play the last three games of the series. Friday’s game will begin at 6:35 PM with the pregame show beginning at 6:20 PM on 620 AM RipCity Radio.