Eugene's Joe Whitman shuts down Hops in 2-1 Ems win

Despite outhitting the Emeralds by more than two-to-one, it was Eugene who came out on top in a 2-1 game on Friday night, July 5, at PK Park in Eugene.

Hillsboro tallied five hits to just two by the home Ems, but Eugene made the most of them and lefthanded pitcher Joe Whitman who allowed no earned runs and just three hits, while striking out seven and walking none.

Hops starter Jose Cabrera was equally impressive in just his second start in a Hillsboro uniform, allowing two earned runs on just two hits, while too striking out seven and walking none.

Eugene got their first run in the second inning on a Cole Foster solo home run, while the Hops got their first and only run and inning later when Jose Fernandez scored on a Brett Johnson sacrifice fly to center field.

Foster’s home run was his first for the Ems since being called up on July 3.

The Ems got what amounted to the game-winner in the fourth inning when Johan Cox scored on fielder’s choice off the bat of Rodolfo Nolasco.

The game was played in less than two hours.

Hillsboro’s loss was their first in their last three games, and the second of their six-game set with the Ems.

The last game of the two teams’ series is scheduled for tonight at 5:05 p.m. at PK Park.