Pena's clutch hit lifts Hops over Ems for a second straight night

Two in a row.

Spencer Giesting has been virtually unhittable over the season’s first two months, and that didn’t change in a 3-2 win over Eugene on Wednesday night, May 29, at Hillsboro Ballpark, marking the second straight win over the rival Ems to start their six-game home series.

The 22-year-old lefthander allowed his first runs in four starts, but was still impressive, allowing two earned runs on seven hits, while striking out nine and walking one in seven innings of work against the Ems.

Giesting entered the game with the lowest ERA of any starter in the minor leagues, and left with a 0.94 mark for the season.

Offensively, the Hops got a home run from Jack Hurley, his fifth of the season, two hits from Jose Fernandez, and a game-winning single from Manuel Pena in the bottom of the seventh inning after Eugene had tied the game with two runs a half inning earlier.

The Ems outhit the Hops 9-7 in the game, but they say timing is everything and on this night it was, with Hillsboro stranding just five men on base opposed to nine for Eugene.

Zach Morgan and Andrew Kachel had two hits apiece for the Ems.

Daniel Blair took the loss for Eugene, in relief of starter Hayden Wynja who allowed two earned runs while striking out eight in six innings.

Listher Sosa notched the win for Hillsboro after closing out the Ems in the ninth, striking out two of his three batters faced.

Hillsboro and Eugene will play an afternoon game today, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.