May 6-8: FLAGSTAFF (16-18) @ PRESCOTT (16-19)
Stadium: Dignity Health Park (Capacity: 11,598)
May 6: Hot Shots 2, Hops 0
May 7: Hops 8, Hot Shots 5
May 8: Hops 3, Hot Shots 1
Prescott, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops opened up their road trip by taking two of three from division rival Prescott at Dignity Health Park. After a tough 2-0 loss in the opener, the Hops were able to take the last two to move ahead of Prescott in the Mountain League Western division standings.
In the opener, the Hot Shots got a great pitching performance from Dave Powers and some timely offense from Matt Olson in a 2-0 victory over the Hops.
Matt Olson hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth, to score Darren Gomes. He then added a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to add some insurance.
Ryan Pressley (1-3) was the hard luck loser in this one, tossing six innings and 116 pitches, allowing just one run on three hits. He struck out six and walked three.
The Hops outhit the Hot Shots 6-5 in a swiftly played game in Prescott. Dave Powers (4-2) picked up the win, tossing seven innings, allowing five hits and striking out five while not issuing any walks. Xavier Doyle picked up his 11th save, working the ninth.
On Saturday evening the teams combined for two grand slams, but it was Flagstaff that came away with the 8-5 victory. Robbie Westbrook’s grand slam in the seventh proved to be the difference for the Hops as they pulled out a much needed win.
Flagstaff would grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run double from Rafael Perez.
A Matt Olson RBI single in the bottom of the third would get Prescott on the board.
Oscar Aleman would homer in the sixth to put the Hops up by two, and then Robbie Westbrook had the big blow, a grand slam in the seventh to extend the Flagstaff lead to 7-1. They would add a run in the eighth on a Josh Ortega RBI double.
The bullpen was solid until the ninth as normally reliable Pedro Macias, who has struggled lately, came on and gave up a lead off single and two walks. Then dished up a grand slam to Noah Wilson to cut the Flagstaff lead to 8-5. Manager Bud Black would leave in Macias to get the final two outs, but he had a rocky inning.
Steve Hubbard (1-3) picked up his first win on the year, going six innings and allowing one run on five hits. He struck out seven and walked two. Jimmy Campenella (0-4) was saddled with the loss for Prescott. He went 4 1/3 innings, allowing just two earned runs on six hits. He struck out eight and walked one.
In the Sunday afternoon finale, the Hops got a huge two-out, two-run home run from Rodney Millar in the top of the ninth inning to pull out a 3-1 victory.
Sam Herzog was excellent again on the bump for Flagstaff, but he would not get a decision as he left in a tie ball game. He went 7 1/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out four and did not issue any walks. Miguel Ascencio would get the last two outs in the eighth to pick up the win, as he improved to (3-1). Vic Miller worked the ninth, and allowed a two-out double, but struck out the side to earn his sixth save.
Flagstaff (16-18) will now head to Salt Lake City to take on the last place Chukars (13-21) for a three game series beginning on Monday evening.
Around the League: Centerfielder Josh Carroll hit two home runs and drove in six as Prescott destroyed Amarillo 16-0. Blake Pacinelli hit three home runs and drove in all six runs for the Aliens as Roswell beat Salt Lake, 6-5. West Texas’ Manny Vega hit two home runs and drove in seven in a victory over Rio Rancho, 13-0. Glendale’s John Clarkson tossed a one-hit shutout as the Desert Dogs defeated Tucson 7-0. Austin’s Richie Chappell throws a complete game three-hit shutout, striking out 11, as the Fire Frogs beat Fort Worth 3-0.
Rodney Millar was the hero again on Sunday, hitting a huge home run in the ninth to win it for the Hops.