Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)
June 17: Archers 4, Hops 0
June 18: Archers 3, Hops 2
June 19: Archers 4, Hops 2
Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - An absolutely embarrassing three game sweep at the hands of the slumping St George Archers has seen the Hops drop to third place in the Mountain League West. They managed a paltry 12 hits and four runs in the series as they finished the home stand a disappointing (2-4).
The Archers won the opener 4-0 behind a one hit pitching performance from four arms. Ryan Holland allowed a two-out single to Skyler Lyons in the sixth for the only base hit allowed all night as the Archers cruised to their first win against the Hops this season.
The Archers would take the lead in the top of the first inning on a Jamaal McCormick RBI single. They would then knock out starter Angelo Chacin in the second inning as he was hit with a line drive in the head. It was a scary few moments, but he was able to walk off under his own power and was still being evaluated.
The Archers would put the game away in the eighth and they just lit up reliever Samuel Espinoza, who came into a 1-0 game. He allowed three runs on four hits with the big blow being a two-run home run from Angel Montes.
The Hops bullpen was once again excellent despite the poor outing from Espinoza. Besides Espinoza, the bullpen tossed 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief after Angelo Chacin left. Oliver Benedict, Also Osuna and Peter Gorzelski allowed just four hits and struck out five.
Ryan Holland (7-4) picked up the win for St George. He was almost untouchable, but in an odd twist, the Hops had four perfect hits in the game and all of them resulted in outs. Holland went 5 2/3 innings, allowing just the one hit. He struck out four and walked two. Tyler Gordon, Roberto Velasquez and Wendell Hampton did not allow a hit over the final 3 1/3 innings of relief.
On Saturday night, the Hops once again get zero clutch hits in a 3-2 loss to the slumping Archers. Rolando Powers home run in the top of the eighth was the difference as St George set themselves up for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Shoe Lace O’Tying (6-3) went the distance and deserved better. He allowed the three runs on just five hits, while striking out nine and walking one. But he got zero help from an offense that has looked like one of the worst in the league the last few games. If they aren’t hitting a home run, they aren’t scoring.
St. George put the pressure on the struggling Hops with a run in the top of the first inning. A Juan Dias double and a Angle Montes RBI single gave the Archers the lead and it looked like that may be all that they needed again as the Hops looked absolutely clueless at the plate.
Leandro Lugo would hammer about the only mistake that starter Lawrence would make in the third. He blasted a two-run home run to left to put Flagstaff up 2-1. That lead was short lived though as Jamaal McCormick hit an 0-2 slider into the bleachers in right to tie the game at 2-2. O’Tying was great, but he made a couple of mistakes and unlike the Hops, the Archers made him pay.
In the eighth, ninth place hitter Rolando Powers hit an 0-2 sinker that hung a big and he blasted it over the scoreboard in left to put the Archers up 3-2. The Hops had no answer and base running blunders added to their frustration in this one. In the ninth after a leadoff walk from Donnie Roland, Skyler Lyons came into pinch run and was picked off. Emmitt Hampton would draw a two out walk, but Leandro Lugo struck out to end the game. Sam Goodman picked up save number 18 for the Archers.
Manager Bud Black was not real happy after the game. “This team is pressing hard at the plate. We are getting good pitching and we aren’t helping them, so one mistake has been costing us. We need to be better.”
In the finale, the Hops were not better, and they dropped a 4-2 decision to the Archers as they were swept for the second time in two weeks. The Archers carried a no hitter into the eighth inning before Robbie Westbrook’s single broke up the no hitter.
St George would grab the lead in the fifth inning as Sam Robinson hit a long home run over the wall in left center. Scottie Hager would add a two run single with the bases loaded in the sixth to give the Archers a little breathing room. Fred Roberts would add a run scoring single later in the inning to make it 4-0.
St George starter Taylor Austin left the game after only 4 1/3 innings with a no hitter going. He injured a finger on his throwing hand and had to be removed from the game. The Archers turned to their bullpen and they kept it going. Tyler Gordon worked 1 2/3 hitless innings and picked up the win. In the bottom of the eighth, Oscar Aleman broke up the no hit bid with a single to right. The next batter, Forrest Owen blasted one over the wall in left to cut the lead to 4-2. In the ninth, Sam Goodman would get the save, but it was not easy. Art Mason doubled to open the inning. After getting Robbie Westbrook to strike out, he got Leandro Lugo to pop out. Rodney Millar then hit a rocket to left that Mike Gehringer caught up against the wall in left to end the ball game and secure the sweep.
Ryan Pressley (3-7) took the loss, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing four runs on six hits. He struck out six, but walked three. Miguel Asencio was excellent out of the bullpen. He pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing only two hits while striking out five and walking one.
The loss drops Flagstaff back to (35-37) as they head out on a six game road trip to Amarillo and Surprise.
Around the League: Colorado Springs Jack Withenshaw tossed eight shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out five in a 1-0 victory over Glendale. Chandler’s Rick Singleton hit three home runs and drove in seven in the Chiefs 11-8 victory over Roswell. Austin rallied from a 6-0 deficit in the sixth inning in San Antonio to win 12-6. Ionatana Wiliama tossed five-hit complete game shutout, striking out 11, as Goodyear defeated Long Beach 6-0.

The Archers pitching was lights out in their three game sweep of the Hops.
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