June 20-23, 2024: AMARILLO (28-51) @ FLAGSTAFF (34-46)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 13,406)
June 20: Honey Hunters 9, Hops 2
June 21: Honey Hunters 3, Hops 1
June 22: Hops 2, Honey Hunters 1
June 23: Hops 6, Honey Hunters 0
Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - Flagstaff managed to split of four game series with the worst team in the IBL, losing the first two, but then rallying to win the final two games to earn a split.
The Honey Hunters blew out the Hops in the opener, 9-2. Luke Brady went 3 for 5 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored for the victorious Honey Hunters.
Amarillo jumped on Ryan Pressley early and did not let up. Back-to-back RBI doubles from Jon Cooper and Leif Radford in the second put the Honey Hunters up 2-0. A Daryl Sweet home run in the third made it 3-0. A Morris RBI single and Jon Cooper RBI double made it 5-0 in the fifth as Ryan Pressley's recent woes continued.
The Honey Hunters would end Pressley's night in the sixth with a leadoff home run from Bobby Huff. Kenneth Valdez came on but he gave up a three-run home run to Luke Brady to make it 9-0.
Forrest Owen would get one back with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, the first hit of the game for Flagstaff. They would add another run in the seventh on a Roberto Geronimo RBI groundout that scored David Benitez.
Overall, another brutal performance from Flagstaff. Ryan Pressley (6-6) was lit up for six run son ten hits in five plus innings. He struck out eight.
Meanwhile Andres Montoya (6-3) dominated the Hops, going seven innings and allowing two runs on only three hits. He struck out four.
On Friday night, the Honey Hunters rode two first inning home runs to a 3-1 victory over the slumping Hops. Robert Ozone tossed seven strong innings to pick up the win for the last-place Honey Hunters.
Geraldo Rodriguez (1-5) pitched one of his better games for Flagstaff, but gave up solo home runs to Yusniel Valdez and Luke Brady in the first inning, and that doomed him. Rodriguez would pitch eight innings, allowing three runs on five hits. The Honey Hunters added a run in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Yusniel Valdez.
The Hops would score their lone run in the bottom of the sixth on an Emmitt Hampton sac fly that scored Robbie Westbrook.
The Hops have not scored more than four runs in their last 13 games and are (2-11) in those games. This team has arguably the best pitching staff in the IBL and the worst offense. They are last in batting average, slugging, on-base percentage, run scored, doubles, triples, and walks.
On Saturday evening, the Hops got a great pitching performance from Alex Farmer as they rallied late for a 2-1 victory. Alex Farmer (11-3) was dominant again, throwing seven innings and allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.
The Honey Hunters would grab a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a Daryl Sweet solo home run, his 12th on the season. But Alex Farmer would shut them down after that.
The Hops would finally get to starter Ryan Walker in the seventh. Roberto Geronimo hit a lead-off home run to tie the game. They Kiko Pressley lined a two-out RBI single that scored Bradley York to give the Hops the lead 2-1.
Oliver Benedict and Vic Miller came on a did not allow any baserunners as Miller picked up his 16th save.
Ryan Walker (1-6) took the loss for the Honey Hunters, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
Kiko Pressley, getting the start at third base, went 3 for 3 with an RBI. The light hitting youngster has been rumored to be on the trade block but he has a ton of potential so that is something to keep an eye on as the calendar turns to July with the Hops playoff hopes fading.
On Sunday afternoon, Juro Yamaguchi brought his A-game, tossing a complete game shutout, as the Hops earned a series split with a 6-0 victory. The Hops hit five home runs in the victory to close out the home stand.
Flagstaff would grab a 1-0 lead in the first on a solo home run from Bradley York, his 10th on the season. A third inning home run from Isaac Nettles (5) made it 2-0.
Forrest Owen would add a two-run home run in the fourth to put the Hops up by four.
Roberto Geronimo (14) and Art Mason 12) would add solo home runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Juro Yamaguchi (2-7) has struggled in 2024, but he was at his best on Sunday afternoon, going the distance and scattering five hits, while striking out six and walking one. Roger O'Brien (2-7) was hung with the loss, only lasting four plus innings and allowing five runs on seven hits.
The Hops (34-46) will finally have a day off tomorrow before heading to Utah for a quick two game series in St George (42-37).
Trades: The Hots Shots acquired 25-year-old starting pitcher Daniel Herrera (75 OVR, C POT) from the Firebirds in exchange for 30-year-old shortstop Alexis Lerma (79 OVR, C POT).
Around the League: A suddenly red-hot Salt Lake has now won their sixth in a row as they swept San Antonio on Thursday afternoon in a dominating 12-2 win. Julio Cervantes went 5 for 5 with a home run and five RBIs to lead the Chukars to the victory.
Gilbert's shiny new shortstop Carlos Quinones homered twice but it wasn't enough as the Barnstormers dropped a 7-6 decision to Henderson on Friday night. This game featured eight home runs, four by each team, in a wild one at YouFit Field.
Fort Worth pounded out 19 hits and scored 15 runs in a 15-3 walloping of San Diego and their ace Matt Campbell. Felix went 3 for 4 with three doubles and five RBIs to lead the Kings. Matt Campbell (6-6) only lasted two plus innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits for the first-place Seals.
Scottsdale's Sam Conley hit two home runs and drove in six as the Scorpions outslugged Salt River 12-10 on Saturday afternoon. The teams combined for 31 hits and five home runs.
Tucson's Romeo Cruz went 4 for 4 with three doubles and a grand slam driving in seven as the Roadrunners defeated Surprise 12-4 to take two of three in the weekend series.
Phoenix's Gene Clark hit three home runs and drove in five, but it wasn't enough as St George pulled out an 11-10 victory in 13 innings on Sunday afternoon. Chris Taylor hit two more home runs for the Archers and leads the IBL with 26 bombs and is fifth in the Mountain League with 57 RBIs.
Alex Farmer has been on of the few bright spots for the Hops in 2024.