Good start: Hops take first of six games with Canadians

The Hops may have only scored in a single inning, but they made the most of it in a 4-2 win in their series-opener with Vancouver on Tuesday night, July 23, at Hillsboro Ballpark.

Hillsboro parlayed a couple singles, a double, a triple and a Junior Franco sacrifice fly into four third-inning runs, then rode the arms of starting pitcher Logan Clayton, along with relievers Alec Baker and Yordin Chalas to a victory over visiting Vancouver.

Clayton threw six innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out six.

Baker and Chalas were equally, if not more impressive, combining to allow just one hit in three shutout innings to close out the game.

Manuel Pena led the Hops with two hits, but Hillsboro got base knocks from all but two starters in the game.

Vancouver starter Pat Gallagher took the loss after getting roughed up for four runs in 2.2 innings, but the Canadians got 5.1 shutout innings from Alex Amalfi and Aaron Munson in relief.

Nick Goodwin led the C’s with two hits and an RBI, while centerfielder Dasan Brown homered leading off the game.

The win was the fourth in five games for the Hops who remain 10 games behind first place Spokane.

Hillsboro hosts Vancouver again at 7:05 p.m. tonight, at Hillsboro Ballpark.