July 11-14: ST GEORGE (47-48) @ FLAGSTAFF (45-49)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)
July 11: Hops 1, Archers 0
July 12: Hops 4, Archers 3 (11)
July 13: Hops 5, Archers 0
July 14: Hops 9, Archers 7
Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops returned home and came away with a huge four game sweep of division rival St. George. They tossed two shutouts as they have now won six of their last eight.
Shoe Lace O’Tying was once again dominant as he tossed a complete game three-hit shutout in the Hops 1-0 victory over the Archers in Monday evening’s opener. He struck out eight and did not issue a walk as he improved to (7-4).
The lone run in the game came on an RBI groundout in the second inning by Rodney Millar.
Lamont Lawrence (6-7) was the hard luck loser for St. George. He pitched five innings, allowing one run on six hits.
Robbie Westbrook went 3 for 3 with a double in the game.
On Tuesday evening, the Hops rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to walk it off in eleven innings, 4-3. A Rodney Millar ground out up the middle scored Skyler Lyons with the game winner as the Hops won for the fourth time in their last six.
Rodney Millar was the hero in this one, hitting two solo home runs, including the game tying one in the bottom of the ninth, before knocking in the game winner. Millar now has 23 home runs on the season.
Aldo Osuna (3-2) picked up the win out of the bullpen. He pitched the tenth and eleventh innings, allowing two hits, but no runs. Ryan Pressley was pretty good after a rough start, allowing three runs on nine hits over seven innings. He struck out four and walked two.
Sam Goodman (0-2) took the loss for the Archers and was saddled with the blown save. He worked the ninth, tenth and eleventh, allowing two runs on two hits. He struck out four. The blown save was just his second on the season in 27 chances.
Wednesday evening, the Hops got another great pitching performance from Sam Herzog as they shutout the Archers 5-0. Herzog tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five as he picked up his ninth victory.
The Hops would break a scoreless tie in the fifth on a Donny Roland RBI single.
Flagstaff would extend the lead to 2-0 in the seventh on a solo home run from Robbie Westbrook, his 13th on the season. They would then blow it open in the eighth with a solo home run from Skyler Lyons and a two-run shot from Oscar Aleman.
Robbie Westbrook went 3 for 4 with a double, home run, RBI and two runs scored as he makes a late push to make the All-Star team. Skyler Lyons went 3 for 3 with a double and home run.
Pedro Macias earned the save, getting the final six outs, for his first on the season.
The finale was a home run fest as the teams combined for 10 home runs in an afternoon game with the wind blowing out as Flagstaff completed the sweep with a 9-7 victory. A Forrest Owen grand slam in the second inning keyed the victory as Flagstaff slowly inches its way back into the wild card conversation.
Robert Francis (5-7) got the start and win for Flagstaff but he struggled big time, allowing five runs, all on solo home runs, and seven hits in just five innings of work. The bullpen was able to nail down the win with Vic Miller picking up his 22nd save.
Down 2-0 in the second inning, Forrest Owen hit a grand slam to right off of Geraldo Rodriguez to put the Hops up 4-2. Arturo Mardones would then single home Shoe Lace O’Tying, who doubled, to make it 5-2.
But the Archers (47-48), losers of six straight, would hit three solo homers in the fourth to tie the ball game at 5-5, including Steve Marquez’s second of the game.
Roberto Geronimo hit a solo home run to open the bottom half of the fourth to put Flagstaff up for good, at 6-5. They would build their lead to 9-5 before Jamaal McCormick blasted a two-run shot off of Mark Wirth in the eighth to cut the lead to 9-7.
The Hops hit four home runs in the game: Aleman (13), Owen (12), Mardones (10) and Geronimo (25).
The Hops (45-49) will now close out the first half of the season with a three game series against the Albuquerque Mariachis (48-46) starting tomorrow evening.
Around the League: San Diego’s Maurice Johnson (5-6) pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out seven in a 1-0 victory over Long Beach. Roswell’s Blake Pacinelli blasted three home runs and drove in six as the Aliens clobbered Colorado Springs 11-4.
TRADES: The Saguaros have acquired 30-year-old star shortstop Jaime Hernandez from the Yuma Dust Devils in exchange for centerfielder Johnnie Doyle and a prospect, catcher Paul Ellis. Hernandez was hitting .325 with seven homers, 38 RBIs and 12 stolen bases for the Dust Devils. Ellis is an A-rated prospect in the low minors. Doyle will be slotted into a crowded outfield but should start.
San Diego has traded starting pitcher/long reliever Felipe De Jesus to Albuquerque for three prospects in second baseman James Martinez, third baseman Malcom Nunez and shortstop Will Holland.
Las Vegas has acquired left fielder Herb Clark from Mesa in exchange for closer Lamont Vann and starting pitcher Sonny Erdman. Clark is a 24-year-old in the final year of his contract. He is hitting .253 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs to go along with 13 steals. The Nuggets then traded away two more prospects for Flagstaff closer Ian Gonzalez as they sent 18 -year-old third baseman Michael Kelly and 21-year-old shortstop Osleivis Basabe back.
Shoe Lace O’Tying is turning into a superstar.