Self-inflicted wounds haunt Hops in 7-3 loss to Tri-City

Four Hops errors led to three unearned Dust Devil runs, all resulting in a 7-3 Tri-City win over Hillsboro on Thursday night, April 18, at Hillsboro Ballpark.

Avery Short dazzled on the mound for the home Hops, allowing just a single earned run on four hits, while striking out four and walking none, but ultimately took the loss thanks in large part to two errors—one of his own making.

With the Hops (5-7) leading 1-0 after a Manuel Pena second inning RBI-single, the 23-year-old lefthander committed a fourth inning throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt, which ultimately led to the first two Dust Devil runs.

Tri-City (3-9) added two more in the sixth and another in the seventh before Hillsboro pulled to within 5-3 with a Gavin Conticello solo homer, followed by a Pena RBI-double in the bottom half of that same inning. But the Dust Devils tacked-on two final runs in the top of the ninth, then watched as reliever Camden Minacci retired the Hops in order in the ninth to secure the visitor's first win of the series.

Tri-City starting pitcher Jorge Marcheco notched the win, allowing one earned run on four hits, while striking out five and walking none in six innings of work.

The Hops outhit the Dust Devils 8-7 in the game.

Pena finished 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Conticello was 2-for-4 with his fourth home run of the season, and RBI and two runs-scored.

The two teams will meet again at 6:35 p.m. on Friday night, at Hillsboro Ballpark.