Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

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August 16-18: FLAGSTAFF (62-61) @ ROSWELL (68-54)
Stadium: Greater New Mexico Field (Capacity: 5,602)

August 16: Aliens 5, Hops 4
August 17: Aliens 2, Hops 1
August 18: Aliens 6, Hops 5

Roswell, NM (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops were swept in a three game series at Roswell, losing all three games by one run. The losses put a temporary dent in their Wild Card hopes as they are now five games back in the Wild Card chase.

In the opener, the Aliens went deep four times off of Shoe-Lace O’Tying as they eeked out a 5-4 victory. Danny Watson homered and doubled to help lead the Aliens to the victory.

The Hops would grab a 2-0 lead right off the bat off of Hendricks on an Oscar Aleman RBI single and a Roberto Geronimo sacrifice fly, but it could have been much worse as they left the bases loaded.

Roswell would get the first of their four home runs in the second as Joe Gallagher hit a solo home run to left to cut the Flagstaff lead in half. The Aliens would then hit back-to-back-to-back homers in the fourth by Watson, Blake Pacinelli and Damien Hudson to grab a 4-2 lead. Watson’s homer tied him for the Mountain League lead with his 35th on the year. Pacinelli’s was his 33rd.

Josh Ortega would tie the game up in the sixth with a two-run home run, his 20th on the season.

But the Aliens would get that right back in the bottom half on a Robby Flores RBI double that ended O’Tying’s evening, and gave Roswell a 5-4 lead. O’Tying (9-5) took the loss in a forgettable outing as he allowed five runs on nine hits including the four solo home runs. He struck out three and walked two.

Robert Sbarbori (4-1) got the win out of the bullpen for Roswell. Raymond Lane picked up his league leading 40th save as he worked a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Aliens took game two on Wednesday evening as they escaped with a 2-1 victory. Blake Pacinelli’s solo home run in the seventh proved to be the difference. It was his 34th on the year.

The Aliens grabbed the lead in the bottom of the third on a Reece RBI single. The Hops would tie it up in the top of the fourth on a Robbie Westbrook RBI double. It would remain tied until Pacinelli’s solo home run in the seventh off of Ryan Pressley (7-11). Pressley went 6 1/3 innings allowing the two runs on just four hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Robert Sbarbori (5-1) picked up the win for the second consecutive evening out of the bullpen. He pitched a scoreless seven, striking out two.

In the finale, the Aliens rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the fifth to win it 6-5. A Damien Hudson homer in the bottom of the eighth off of Aldo Osuna was the difference as Roswell won their seventh straight ballgame.

Flagstaff (62-61) looked like they were going to avoid the sweep as they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. Josh Ortega hit a solo home run, his 21st, and Roberto Geronimo blasted a two-run homer in the second to give the Hops a three run lead. Ortega would add an RBI single in the third to make it 4-0.

A Steve Fuzz solo homer off of Sam Herzog to open the fourth cut the lead to 4-1.

Skyler Lyons hit a solo homer to center to open the fifth. It was his eighth on the year and gave the Hops a four run lead.

An RBI double by Reece would cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom half and then Kelly Schwarzfeld hit a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the ballgame at 5-5.

The Hops brought on Aldo Osuna to pitch the bottom of the eighth and the first pitch that he threw was blasted over the wall in left by Daniel Hudson to put Roswell up 6-5.

Raymond Lane would come on for the third straight day to pick up the save as he earned his 42nd on the season.

The third straight loss dropped the Hops (62-61) 4 1/2 games back in the ML West and 5 1/2 out of a Wild Card spot. Up next they will return home for a three game weekend series with Salt Lake (55-68).

Around the League: Fort Worth’s Alex Pena tossed a complete game two-hitter, striking out five and walking three as the Kings took down red-hot West Texas 2-0. Mikey Fisher hit a three run home run in the eighth to supply all the offense that the Kings would need. Red-hot St George defeated Amarillo 7-5 behind home runs from Jamaal McCormick, Angel Montes and Rolando Powers as they won their sixth straight. They are now just a game back of Colorado Springs in the ML West.

Rollie Flingers (10-11) tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits as Rio Rancho defeated Colorado Springs 5-2. He struck out nine and walked three.

San Diego scored four times in the top of the ninth to win a wild one in Long Beach 14-13. Matt Mulder went 4 for 5 with a home run and five runs batted in to help pace the Seals. Angle Montes homered in the bottom of the 14th inning as St. George walked it off against San Antonio 7-6 to move into a first place tie with Colorado Springs in the ML West.

Daniel Hudson’s eighth inning home run on Thursday afternoon sent Roswell to a sweep.

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August 19-21: SALT LAKE (57-69) @ FLAGSTAFF (63-63)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

August 19: Hops 4, Chukars 3
August 20: Chukars 6, Hops 1
August 21: Chukars 1, Hops 0

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops have cooled off and maybe at the wrong time as they dropped two of three to the Salt Lake Chukars over the weekend and have now lost five of six.

The Hops rallied to take the opener 4-3. A four-run seventh inning was capped off with an Art Mason two-run double as the Hops broke a three game losing streak and snapped a Chukars three game winning streak.

The Chukars would grab a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a couple of runs. One scored on a Skyler Lyons error and the second on a Hills RBI single. The Chukars would get what looked like a big insurance run in the top of the seventh on a Rafael Geronimo solo home run to right center to make it 3-0.

But the Hops rallied in the bottom half. With runners on second and third, Josh Ortega grounded out to score Rodney Millar. Forrest Owen followed that up with an RBI single. After a Skyler Lyons single, Art Mason doubled deep down the left field line to score both runners as the Hops took a 4-3 lead.

Vic Miller would pitch the ninth to pick up his 32nd save. John Benitez (2-4) was credited with the win. He pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out four.

The Hops hit into three double plays in the game.

On Saturday evening the Chukars got a great pitching performance from Tom Hawk as they defeated the Hops 6-1. Home runs from Pablo Gomes and J.P. Grant helped pace the Chukars to the win.

Salt Lake would grab the lead in the third inning on a three-run home run from J.P. Grant. It was his 21st on the season. The Hops would replay in the bottom half as Art Mason ripped an RBI double that score Arturo Mardones. That would be all the offense that Flagstaff could muster in this one.

The Chukars would put this one away in the eighth as the Hops bullpen fell apart. Peter Gozelski came on and could not get an out. The first batter reached on an error and he gave up a single and walked a batter. Aldo Osuna came on and would strike out the side, but also walked in two runs. Salt Lake would add a Pablo Gomes homer in the ninth to make it 6-1.

Tom Hawk (5-7) pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits and one run as he earned the victory. Angelo Chacin (4-2) took the loss, lasting just five innings and allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out three and walked two. In all, the Hops pitchers issued six walks in the game.

The finale was a pitching duel between Thor Odinson and Shoe-Lace O’Tying as the Chukars won 1-0. A solo home run from Rafael Geronimo in the fifth inning was the difference as Flagstaff slumped back to .500.

Thor Odinson (6-7) went eight plus innings, scattering six hits and striking out eight. Emmett Franco would come on and tightrope out of trouble with the bases loaded to pick up his 33rd save.

Shoe-Lace O’Tying (9-6) pitched a complete game, allowing the single run on just four hits. He struck out 10 and did not issue a walk. It was his league leading sixth complete game. He also took over the Mountain League lead in strikeouts with 164.

The Hops scored just five runs and scored all of those runs in just two innings in the three game weekend series.

The Hops (63-63) will have Monday off before hosting Desert League West leading Long Beach (73-54) for a two game series to end the brief home stand.

Around the League: Rio Rancho rallied from a 5-1 deficit late to defeat El Paso 6-5, sending the Blue Rocks to their seventh straight loss. Red-hot St George blew a great pitching performance from Ryan Holland (8 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs) and lost 6-2 to San Antonio in 10 innings. Kosuke Matsui’s bases clearing triple in the tenth was the difference for the first place Javelinas.

Brett Kimbrek (12-7) tossed a complete game five-hitter, striking out five, as Long Beach took care of Surprise 4-0.

Thor Odinson shut down the Hops on Sunday afternoon as Salt Lake won the weekend series.

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August 23-24: LONG BEACH (74-56) @ FLAGSTAFF (64-64)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

August 23: Hops 10, Surf Dawgs 1
August 24: Surf Dawgs 15, Hops 14

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops wrapped up the homestand with a wild two game split with the Long Beach Surf Dawgs. Despite scoring 24 runs in the two games, the Hops only managed a split as they prepare to hit the road for ten games.

The Hops got their offense get in order on Tuesday evening as they pounded the Surf Dawgs 10-1. Art Mason hit for the cycle for the second time this month, going 5 for 5 and driving in three to help pace the Hops to the much needed victory.

This one was never really in doubt from the start with the Hop scoring twice in the second on back-to-back home runs from Robbie Westbrook (22) and Roberto Geronimo (31). An RBI single from Arturo Mardones and RBI double from Art Mason in the fourth made it 4-0.

Rodney Millar broke out of a mini slump with a solo home run in the sixth to make it 7-0. For Millar, it was his 36th home run on the season. Art Mason would homer in the eighth to complete the cycle. He hit for the cycle on August 11th win a win over Roswell also at AutoZone Park.

Ryan Pressley (8-11) pitched 8 1/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out seven. Chuck Sanchez (7-4) was saddled with the loss for Long Beach. He lasted just four plus innings, allowing five runs on nine hits.

In Wednesday afternoon’s finale, the Hops dropped a slugfest to the Surf Dawgs 15-14. The teams combined to hit 11 home runs with the big blow being a seventh inning grand slam from light hitting right field Jim Esparza.

The Surf Dawgs led 4-0 after the first half inning and had an 11-4 lead in the fourth before a furious rally from the Hops. They would score seven times in the fifth to take a 13-11 lead. A two-run home run from SKyler Lyons and three-run bomb from Oscar Aleman keyed the rally.

Oliver Benedict came on in the seventh and struggled, loading the bases with none out before serving up the grand slam to Jim Esparza.

Huey Lopez went 4 for 5 with two home runs and five RBIs for the Surf Dawgs. Oscar Aleman homered and doubled, driving in five for the Hops in the loss.

The fifteen runs allowed were a season high against Flagstaff.

Flagstaff (64-64) will now hit the road for their longest road trip of the year, 10 games, as they will play at Fort Worth, West Texas and Santa Fe.

Around the League: Fort Worth’s Alex Pena (10-5) tossed eight innings of shutout baseball, striking out nine, and Randy Klaus (35th) homered as the Kings shutout Mesa 8-0.

Jim Espanz’s grand slam capped off a 15-14 victory for the visiting Surf Dawgs on Wednesday afternoon.

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August 25-28: FLAGSTAFF (67-65) @ FORT WORTH (73-59)
Stadium: Globe Life Field (Capacity: 40,300)

August 25: Hops 6, Kings 3
August 26: Hops 5, Kings 0
August 27: Kings 8, Hops 7 (12)
August 28: Hops 7, Kings 6

Arlington, TX (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops took three of four from the ML East leading Fort Worth Kings to keep their playoff hopes alive. This was a thrilling series with two of the wins coming in the final at bat as the Hops opened up a ten game road trip winning three of four.

The Hops would take the opener 6-3 behind a five-run fourth inning. Robbie Westbrook helped pace the offense, going 1 for 3 with a double, walk, RBI and a stolen base.

The Hops would grab the lea din the third on an Art Mason RBI single. They would then break the game open in the fourth, scoring five times on six base hits. Robbie Westbrook doubled home Oscar Aleman. Roberto Geronimo singled home Rodney Millar. Forrest Owen singled home Westbrook. Art Mason singled home Roberto Geronimo and Isaac Nettles hit a sacrifice fly that scored Forrest Owen.

The Kings would get one back in the bottom half on an RBI ground out from Park. Randy Klaus hit a long solo home run to left in the sixth, it was his 36th on the season to cut the lead to 6-2. Cal Velasco would add an RBI single in the eighth off of reliever Peter Gorzelski to trim the lead to three.

Vic Miller came on to close out the game, picking up his 33rd save as he struck out two.

John Benitez (3-4) earned the win with a strong seven innings of work. He allowed two runs on just six hits. He struck out two and did not issue a walk.

Jose Lema (9-10) took the loss for Fort Worth. He only lasted 3 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out three.

The Hops hit into three double plays in the game. Robbie Westbrook stole his 38th base on the season and Roberto Geronimo stole his 28th in the win.

The Hops took Friday evenings game 5-0 behind a great pitching performance from Angelo Chacin. Chacin worked five innings, allowing just two hits while striking out three and walking two.

Offensively, the Hops would score four times in the fourth inning. Josh Ortega lined an RBI double to score Shoe-Lace O’Tying to give Flagstaff the lead. Robbie Westbrook then singled home Ortega. After loading the bases with none out, sacrifice flies from Forrest Owen and Arturo Mardones made it 4-0.

Rodney Millar would add an RBI single in the eighth to make it 5-0.

But the story was the Hops pitching. On a rany evening with the roof closed in Arlington, the Hops used three pitchers to silence the Kings bats. Angelo Chacin (5-2) earned the win, but Mark Wirth and Samuel Espinoza pitched the final four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five.

Alexi Mora (0-1) took the loss for the Kings. He only went 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, while striking out three and walking two in his 2022 debut.

On Saturday evening the Kings rallied from four down to stun the Hops 8-7 in extra innings. ML MVP candidate Randy Klaus homered three times including a walk off home run in the twelfth inning to win it for the Kings.

Randy Klaus went 4 for 6 with three home runs and a double, driving in five runs as Fort Worth moved back into first place in the ML East with the walk off victory.

This was a matchup of two of the best pitchers in the Mountain League with Gabriel Cardona going for Fort Worth and Shoe-Lace O’Tying taking the rubber for Flagstaff, and each was decent in this one. But it came down to the bullpens and they were not great.

The Hops would score two in the top of the sixth thanks to Rodney Millar’s 38th home run on the year. That put the Hops up 3-1. Randy Klaus responded with a solo home run in the bottom half and Woodson would hit a sacrifice fly to tie the ball game.

Flagstaff would score four in the top of the seventh to seemingly put this one away. Forrest Owen had an RBI single. Art Mason grounded out to score Donnie Roland. Emmitt Hampton lined a single to left to score Art Madon and Rodney Millar doubled to center to score Hampton.

But manager Bud Black sent O’Tying back out in the seventh. He gave up a walk and single before getting lifted for Oliver Benedict. Benedict’s first pitch was hit a very long way by Randy Klaus. The three-run home run cut the lead to 7-6.

Closer Vic Miller would then serve up a solo home run to Roy Graham to lead off the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. It was Miller’s fifth blown save on the season.

Then with two-outs in the 12th, Randy Klaus homered off of Adrian Spanos to end it. It was his third of the game and league leading 39th in the season. He also leads the Mountain League with 107 RBIs.

Manager Bud Black after the game admitted that he probably should have pulled O’Tying when up by four in the seventh but the youngster convinced him that he had three more outs left in his arm.

To make matters worse, designated hitter and outfielder Oscar Aleman suffered a fractured hand base running in the game and will likely miss the rest of the season. Aleman was hitting (.303) with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs. Bud Black said that Shoe-Lace O’Tying will likely move into the DH role but the club will make a roster move also.

The finale was another thriller as Isaac Nettles hit a two-out, three-run home run in the ninth to put Flagstaff back in front and they would hold on for a 7-6 victory to take three of four in the Metroplex.

Flagstaff (67-65) led 3-0 in the seventh with Ryan Pressley cruising on the mound. But he would fall apart after recording the first two outs. Harris doubled to center and Newman singled him home to get the Kings on the board. Roy Graham would then hit a two-run home run to tie the game. It was his second huge home run in two games and just his fourth on the season. Mikey Fisher would then hit an opposite field homer to put the Kings up 4-3!

The Hops would respond to tie it as Grant Mitchell grounded into a 6-4-3 double play that allowed Phillip Choi to score.

But in the bottom of the eighth, Randy Klaus singled off of Aldo Osuna with two outs and Chris Carlisle blasted a two-run home run into the seats in right to give Fort Worth a 6-4 lead.

That setup Isaac Nettles to be the hero in the ninth. After Robbie Westbrook doubled and Roberto Geronimo walked, Josh Ortega and Phillip Choi both struck out against closer Gregg Fierro. Isaac Nettles worked the count to 2-2 and then hit a hanging slider into the seats in right. It was his first home run on the season and gave Flagstaff the shocking 7-6 lead.

Vic Miller came on after blowing a ninth inning lead last night. He sent down the Kings in order to earn his 34th save and help Flagstaff win this huge series to open the road trip.

The Hops will have Monday off as they travel to Lubbock for a three game series with West Texas (65-67) beginning on Tuesday.

Around the League: Las Vegas got seven strong innings from Roger Frawley (9-5) as they slipped by Salt River 2-1. Frawley struck out nine and walked one, scattering just four hits and allowing one earned run in the win.

The Phoenix Firebirds remain red hot as they scored three in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Prescott, 6-4. Mason Ortiz blasted a three run homer to walk it off to help the Firebirds to their fifth straight win and move a season high eight games over .500.

Top pick in the IBL draft Matt Campbell (8-11) tossed a complete game two-hitter, striking out six, as the San Diego Seals shutout the Mesa Solar Sox 4-0. Campbell lowered his ERA to 3.61.

Steve Heupel homered and drove in four and Brian Valenzuela hit a grand slam as Gilbert defeated Yuma 9-2. Armando Bermudez (12-4) got the win, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six as he leads the Desert League with a 2.12 ERA.

Isaac Nettles picked a great time for his first home run on the season.

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August 30 - Sept 1: FLAGSTAFF (68-67) @ WEST TEXAS (67-68)
Stadium: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (Capacity: 12,976)

August 30: Bison 3, Hops 1
August 31: Bison 5, Hops 2
September 1: Hops 4, Bison 3 (11)

Lubbock, TX (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops dropped two of three in Lubbock but avoided the sweep with an extra innings victory in the finale over the West Texas Bison.

The Bison took the opener 3-1 behind a great pitching performance from starter Douglas Matsui. He pitched seven innings, allowing just the single on and scattering seven hits while striking out five.

West Texas would grab the lead in the third inning on a Ryan RBI single. They would increase the lead to 3-0 in the fourth on back-to-back homers from Ervin Larkin and Grant Gomez.

Flagstaff would get one back on a solo homer from Josh Ortega in the seventh. It was his 23rd on the season. He would go 4 for 4 in the game.

Sam Herzog (9-5) would take the loss. He pitched six innings, allowing the three runs on nine hits. Alex Spanos and Oliver Benedict would each pitch a scoreless inning of relief.

Matthew Ball pitched the ninth to pick up his 39th save in 39 opportunities for the Bison.

On Wednesday evening the Bison won again, defeating the Hops 5-2. Grant Gomez led the Bison with a single, home run and two runs scored as West Texas gets back to .500, while dropping the Hops back down to .500.

Red-hot Josh Ortega doubled home Art Mason in the first inning to give Flagstaff the early lead.

But that would not last long as Bobby Rayburn and Grant Gomez each hit solo home runs in the second to put the Bison in front for good. They would add solo runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to move in front 5-1.

A Roberto Geronimo solo home run in the top of the ninth gave the Hops some hope. But closer Matthew Ball came on with one out in the ninth and slammed the door shut on his 40th save of the season.

John Benitez (3-5) would take the loss. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. He struck out four and walked one. Alex Farmer (8-8) picked up the win for the Bison. He worked six innings, allowing one run on just four hits. He struck out three and walked two.

In the finale, the Hops blew a 3-0 lead, but pulled the game out in extra innings thanks to some sloppy defense by the Bison, as they won 4-3. Two errors led to an unearned run, but the Hops will take it as they moved back above .500.

The Hops (68-67) would grab a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning on an Art Mason RBI single and Arturo Mardones two-run home run, his 20th on the season.

But West Texas responded with solo home runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. David Razae homered on the first pitch that he saw from rookie Russell Fluty, making his IBL debut. Manny Vega then homered off of Oliver Benedict in the seventh and Chris Rosas hit a two-out blast off of Oliver in the eighth to tie the game at 3-3.

In the eleventh, Robbie Westbrook singled to center with one out. He then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Roberto Geronimo would single him home with a blooper over the drawn in infield.

Vic Miller would come on and pick up the save, his 35th, to secure the victory.

Angelo Chacin worked five shutout innings, striking out three and only allowing three hits. Aldo Osuna (5-5) picked up the win, pitching 2.1 innings.

Around the League: Colorado Springs defeated Forth Worth 4-1 in a battle of division leaders in Arlington. Mike Stoneridge (10-8) picked up the win, tossing eight innings and allowing one run on just five hits. He struck out five and walked three.

Jose Lema (10-10) pitched eight masterful innings, allowing three hits and no runs as Fort Worth crushed Colorado Springs 11-0.

Phoenix’s Fletcher Fluty tossed 6.1 shutout innings and Kenny James won it with a walk off RBI double as the Firebird’s defeated Scottsdale 1-0 to take over first place in the Desert League Central.

Robbie Westbrook steals second in the 11th and ends up being the winning run on Thursday evening.

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AUGUST AWARDS:
ML Pitcher of Month: Vic Miller (Flagstaff) 1-0, 9 saves, 1.68 ERA, 16 K’s
ML Player of Month: Thomas Estrada (RF, Albuquerque) .284, 8 HR, 17 RBI
ML Rookie of Month: Pat Mehnutzak (SP, Santa Fe) 2-1, 3.98 ERA, 24 K’s
DL Pitcher of Month: Britt Kimbreck (Long Beach) 4-0, 2.00 ERA, 26 K’s
DL Player of Month: Alberto Ruiz (RF, Surprise) .304, 8 HR, 28 RBI
DL Rookie of Month: Britt Kimbreck (Long Beach) 4-0, 2.00 ERA, 26 K’s

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September 2-4: FLAGSTAFF (69-69) @ SANTA FE (75-62)
Stadium: Coca Cola Park (Capacity: 10,713)

September 2: Silver Bullets 5, Hops 2
September 3: Hops 7, Silver Bullets 4
September 4: Silver Bullets 8, Hops 4

Santa Fe, NM (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops dropped two of three to Santa Fe to close out their ten game road trip. That drops the Hops back to .500 as the season winds down and their Wild Card hopes are diminishing.

The Hops dropped the opener 5-2 as their ace Shoe-Lace O’Tying struggled and he received no help from his offense. Emerson King hit two home runs and drove in three to help pace Santa Fe to the victory.

Roberto Geronimo put the Hops in front in the top of the second with a solo home run, his 34th on the season. But that lead did not last long as the Silver Bullets tied it with a Sierra RBI double. They would take the lead in the third on Emerson King’s first home run of the game, a two-run shot.

A Robbie Westbrook RBI single in the fourth cut that lead to 3-2. But King would homer again in the fifth, his 22nd on the season. Ryan Williams then homered off of O’Tying in the sixth to make it 5-2.

Russell Fluty would pitch two scoreless innings in relief of Shoe-Lace O’Tying. O’Tying (9-7) did not have his best stuff, pitching six innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. He struck out seven and walked two.

William Min (11-8) pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out seven. Lincoln Graham pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his 41st save.

On Saturday evening the Hops rallied late for a 7-4 victory to even the series. Emmitt Hampton went 3 for 5 with three doubles and two RBIs to help pace the offense in a much needed win for the Hops.

Flagstaff would grab an early lead as Hampton hit the first of his three doubles, driving in Arturo Mardones to make it 1-0. The Silver Bullets would tie it up on the second on a Ryan Williams bomb to left. It was his 23rd on the season.

Santa Fe would take the lead in the fourth on a Sergio Sierra RBI double and Ryan Williams RBI single.

Art Mason hit an opposite field home run to left in the fifth to cut the Silver Bullets lead to 3-2. It was Mason’s 23rd in the season.

Doubles in the eighth from Art Mason and Emmitt Hampton would tie the game at 3-3. Rodney Millar then delivered with a huge two-run home run to left, his 39th on the season, to put the Hops up 5-3.

Donnie Roland homered to lead off the ninth and Kiko Pressley would homer in his first at-bat since his September call up. It was Pressley’s first homer on the season and made it 7-3.

The Silver Bullets would make it interesting though. Sergio Sierra singled home a run with one out and the Silver Bullets had men on first and second when the Hops turned to closer Vic Miller. Miller would strike out Ryan Williams and Guerrero to end it, and pick up his 36th save.

Ryan Pressley (9-11) picked up the win, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out three. Pat Mehnutzak did not figure in the decision for Santa Fe, but he pitched seven innings and allowed just two runs on five hits. He struck out ten and walked two. The Silver Bullets bullpen allowed five runs on six hits over the final two innings with Ricky Meija (3-5) taking the loss.

In the finale, it was great pitching from Santa Fe that was the story in an 8-4 victory for the Silver Bullets. Matt Price (10-10) pitched into the seventh inning and allowed three runs on nine hits while striking out six.

The Silver Bullets built a 4-0 lead and looked to be in cruise control until the seventh when Forrest Owen hit a three-run home run to cut the Silver Bullets lead to 4-3.

But the Hops bullpen imploded in the eighth with Aldo Osuna and Oliver Benedict getting rocked, allowing four runs to blow the close game wide open. Jamaal Crosby hit his second home run of the game to open the inning off of Osuna. Richie Guerrero would add and RBI double and Craig added a two-run single. Craig leads the Silver Bullets with 93 RBIs.

Robbie Westbrook would add a solo home run in the ninth but it was too little, too late for the Hops.

Sam Herzog (9-6) was saddled with the loss. He allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Pedro Macias worked two scoreless innings before Osuna and Benedict fell apart in the eighth.

The Hops (69-69) will return home to face Rio Rancho (69-69) and Prescott (53-85) this week with Monday’s opener being a Labor Day matinee.

Around the League: Matt Campbell won his ninth game on the year, tossing seven strong innings, allowing one run and striking out nine as the Seals defeated the Barnstormers 9-1. Las Vegas rallied from a 7-1 deficit against Yuma to force extra innings, only to lose 11-7 on a Victor Resendez grand slam. The Dust Devils hit five home runs in the win, including two from Resendez. San Antonio extended their lead in the ML East to three games with a 9-0 victory over Fort Worth. The Javelinas hit five home runs including two each from Brian Gonzalez and Zach Lamb. St George scored four times in the top of the eighth to rally past Colorado Springs 5-2. The win moved the Archers to within three games of the Snow Sox in the ML West.


San Diego’s Matt Morales (7-14) tossed a complete game two-hitter as the Seals swept DL East leading Gilbert with a 3-1 victory. Scottsdale scored three times in the top of the tenth to defeat Goodyear 7-5 to complete the weekend sweep and move out of last place in the DL Central. San Antonio got seven shutout innings from Ted McClendon as they completed the weekend sweep of Fort Worth with a 7-0 victory. The Javelinas are now five games up on the Kings in the ML East. Fort Worth is now just one game ahead of St George for the second ML Wild Card with 24 games left in the season.

Emerson King homered twice in the opener for Santa Fe.

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September 5-7: RIO RANCHO (69-72) @ FLAGSTAFF (72-69)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

September 5: Hops 9, Owlz 2
September 6: Hops 8, Owlz 0
September 7: Hops 6, Owlz 3

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops returned home from a ten game road trip and enjoyed their home cooking as they swept Rio Rancho. The Hops outscored the Owlz 23-5 in the three game sweep and are now just four games out of a Wild Card spot with 21 games remaining.

The Hops broke out of their mini offensive slump on Monday afternoon as they defeated the Rio Rancho Owlz 9-2. Robbie Westbrook went 2 for 4 with a double, home run and two RBI to help lead the way to the victory.

Zach Gallagher got the Owlz off to a quick start with a solo home run in the first. He went 3 for 3 in the game with two solo home runs and really was the only threat for the visitors. The two home runs give him 14 on the season.

Flagstaff would get on the board in the fifth as Robbie Westbrook tied the game with a solo home run, his 25th on the year. Later in the inning, Forrest Owen hit a two-run shot to put the Hops up 3-1.

The Hops would then bat around in the seventh, scoring six times to blow this one wide open. Isaac Nettles had an RBI double. Shoe-Lace O’Tying lined a two-run single. Rodney Millar singled home Art Mason and O’Tying would score on a throwing error. Robbie Westbrook topped it off with an RBI double.

John Benitez (4-5) picked up the win. He tossed six innings, allowing on erun on five hits. Rookie Russell Fluty pitched the final three innings to pick up a save, his first. He allowed one run on three hits and struck out five.

On Tuesday evening the Hops easily disposed of the Owlz by a score of 8-0. Four Flagstaff pitchers combined on the shutout in a game that featured no home runs.

The Hops would score twice in the first, third, sixth and eighth innings as they cruised in this one, racking up 17 hits.

Angleo Chacin (6-2) earned the win with six strong innings of work. He struck out three, walked one and allowed six hits. Oliver Benedict, Samuel Espinoza and Mark Wirth each pitched an inning in relief and allowed no runs. The Owlz did load the bases in the ninth against Wirth with two singles and a walk, but he tightroped out of it and preserved the shutout.

Rio Rancho had no extra base hits in the game.

Robbie Westbrook went 4 for 5 with two doubles, and Josh Ortega went 3 for 5 with an RBI. Leandro Lugo returned from the injured list and went 2 for 5 with a double and RBI.

In the finale the Hops took care of business to earn the sweep with a 6-3 victory. Shoe-Lace O’Tying pitched into the ninth to pick up his tenth win on the year and Roberto Geronimo blasted his 35th home run to help the Hops earn the sweep.

Flagstaff grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a Phillip Choi RBI single. David Dominguez would tie the game in the top of the third with a home run down the left field line.

The Hops would then put up a five spot in the fourth inning to blow the game open. Roberto Geronimo hit a two-run home run, then Leandro Lugo lined an RBI single and Emmitt Hampton lined a two-run single to put the Hops up 6-1.

Ryan Meger would homer in the fifth and also had an RBI single in the ninth for the other two Rio Rancho runs.

Shoe-Lace O’Tying (10-7) pitched 8 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Peter Gorzelski came on in the ninth and gave up the RBI single to Meger, but did pick up his first save on the season.

The Hops (72-69) will have Thursday off before hosting last place Prescott (53-88) in a three game weekend series.

Around the League: Salt Lake rallied with three in the eighth and one in the ninth to defeat Colorado Springs 7-5, while St George defeated Prescott 7-2. The Archers have now moved to within two games of the Snow Sox in the ML West.

Randy Klaus blasted his league leading 40th home run for Fort Worth as they stopped a three game skid with a 5-2 victory over Albuquerque.

San Diego’s Maurice Johnson tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout as the Seals defeated West Texas 2-0. Johnson struck out six and walked two as he improved to (8-9). Colorado Springs scored five in the bottom of the eighth to rally past Salt Lake 5-4. Donnell Marcus delivered the big blow, a two-run home run, his 26th on the season.

David Lee (14-8) tossed a complete game one-hitter for Roswell as they beat ML East leading San Antonio 3-0. Gus Woodson (13-7) took the loss but only allowed two hits while striking out seven in seven innings of work in the losing cause. Roswell’s only two hits were home runs. Santa Fe’s Ron Sposato (10-10) went 8.1 innings and allowed just one hit while striking out nine as Santa Fe shutout El Paso 5-0.

Robbie Westbrook went deep in Monday afternoon’s victory.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

September 9-11: PRESCOTT (54-90) @ FLAGSTAFF (74-70)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

September 9: Hops 3, Hot Shots 1
September 10: Hops 4, Hot Shots 0
September 11: Hot Shots 2, Hops 0

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops took two for three from the Prescott Hot Shots to finish the home stand at (5-1) and move themselves back into the middle of the Wild Card chase.

In the opener the Hops got a great pitching performance from Ryan Pressley on a rainy evening as they defeated the Hot Shots 3-1. Robbie Westbrook went 2 for 4 with a double, home run and two RBIs in the victory.

This one was scoreless into the sixth inning with Pressley and Arturo both pitching well. But the Hot Shots went to the bullpen and the Hops capitalized. Art Mason doubled to open the inning. Leandro Lugo singled him home to put the Hops in front 1-0. Robbie Westbrook then hit a majestic shot onto the patio over the bleachers in right to make it 3-0.

Juan Corona would hit a laser over the wall in left center in the top of the seventh to get Prescott on the scoreboard.

Ryan Pressley (10-11) picked up his tenth win on the season in a dominant performance. He went 7 1/3 innings, allowing one run on just three hits. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter. Aldo Osuna and Vic Miller finished off the Hot Shots with Miller picking up his 37th save.

Robbie Westbrook is having quite the rookie year, hitting .305 with 26 home runs and 74 RBIs to go along with his 45 stolen bases. He would be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year if it wasn’t for Randy Klaus in Fort Worth.

On Saturday evening the Hops ran their winning streak to five games with a 4-0 victory over last place Prescott. Roberto Geronimo homered twice and Sam Herzog tossed a gem as the Hops inch closer to the Wild Card leaders.

Roberto Geronimo was moved up to the three hole in the lineup as Josh Ortega suffered an injury during batting practice, and he made the most of it. He hit a solo home run in the first and a two-run shot in the third to put the Hops up 3-0. They were his 36th and 37th on the year. Rookie Shoe-Lace O’Tying would add a solo home run in the seventh, his fifth on the season to cap off the scoring.

Sam Herzog (10-6) picked up the win with a great pitching performance. He went made it into the eighth innings, allowing just three hits and striking out seven, showing the form that made him an All-Star. Pedro Macias got the final six outs to close this one out.

There were just 11 hits combined in this swiftly played game.

Kolby McAlister (4-9) took the loss for Prescott. He went five innings, allowing three runs on four hits.

In the finale, the Hot Shots got a masterful pitching performance from Dave Powers and a couple of bit early hits to defeat the Hops 2-0. Powers pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits and striking out one.

Prescott (54-90) grabbed the lead in the top of the first on a Josh Carroll solo home run deep to right. Juan Corona would add an RBI single in the third to make it 2-0, and the Hot Shots would make that stick.

Dave Powers, Wolf and Xavier Doyle would combine on the five hit shutout, limiting the Hops to just one extra base hit, an Art Mason first inning double. Powers won his tenth game on the year to improve to (10-10). Xavier Doyle earned his 35th save.

John Benitez (4-6) was saddled with the loss despite a nice outing. He went six innings and allowed two runs on seven hits. He struck out three and walked one. Oliver Benedict and Russell Fluty pitched the final three scoreless innings in relief.

The Hops (74-70) are four games out of a Wild Card spot with 18 games left. They will now hit the road for two games in Phoenix (77-68) and four in El Paso (71-72).

Around the League: Red hot Phoenix continues their drive towards a DL Central title as they shutout San Diego 9-0. Josh Crutchfield (11-7) tossed a complete game six-hitter as the Firebirds improved to (18-7) in their last 25. They still have six games left with Surprise and Glendale in that wild race.

Tucson scored five in the tenth to stun Long Beach 10-5. The Surf Dawgs lead in the DL West is down to two games over Las Vegas.

Colorado Springs scored ten runs in the top of the ninth to stun St George 11-1 in a huge series opener atop the ML West. Mike Stoneridge (11-9) tossed a complete game four hitter and got some help from a Juan Caceras ninth inning grand slam as the Snow Sox moved back to two games ahead of the Archers.

Las Vegas scored three in the tenth to win a 13-10 slugfest over Yuma to move into first place over Long Beach. Herb Clark led the way with a three-run triple and a three-run homer in the game. Vegas is now (6-1) in their last seven while Long Beach is just (2-7) in their last nine.

Colorado Springs completed the sweep of second place St George with a 9-3 victory on Sunday afternoon to move four games clear of the Archers.

Robbie Westbrook is turning into a star for the Flagstaff Hops.

[johnstone1987]

Re: Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

Shoe-Lace O’Tying

Greatest...Pitcher Name...EVER.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

Greatest...Pitcher Name...EVER.

There are a few great names in this league: Shoe-Lace O'Tying, Hulk Hoagie, Pat Mehnutzak just to name a few......

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

September 13-14: FLAGSTAFF (76-70) @ PHOENIX (77-70)
Stadium: Southwest Airlines Field (Capacity: 21,073)

September 13: Hops 9, Firebirds 1
September 14: Hops 1, Firebirds 0

Phoenix, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops opened up their road trip with a sweep of the short two game series in Phoenix. The two wins keep the Hops alive in the ML Wild Card chase while the losses dropped the Firebirds out of first place in the DL Central.

The Hops grabbed the opener 9-1 behind three home runs and a strong pitching performance from Angelo Chacin. Chacin tossed six shutout innings, striking out five to pick up his seventh win on the season.

Flagstaff jumped on the Firebirds early, scoring two in the top of the first on a two-run double from Robbie Westbrook. Arturo Mardones added an RBI triple in the second to make it 3-0. Roberto Geronimo and Arturo Mardones each hit RBI doubles in the fourth and Art Mason added a two-run home run to right in the fourth to increase the Hops lead to 7-0.

In the fifth, Robbie Westbrook and Rodney Millar added back-to-back homers to increase the lead to 9-0. It was Westbrook’s 27th on the year and Millar’s 40th.

Phoenix would get one back with two outs in the ninth as Bobby Gates homered to center off of Samuel Espinoza.

In Wednesday evening’s finale, Shoe-Lace O’Tying tossed a gem, striking out ten in eight innings of shutout work. He allowed just three hits in the Hops 1-0 victory.

This one was a pitchers duel as the game went to the ninth scoreless. But in the ninth, pinch hitter Isaac Nettles lined a base hit to left, scoring pinch runner Skyler Lyons with the go ahead run. Lyons was pinch running for Emmitt Hampton, who had lead off the ninth with a double.

Vic Miller would come on and send the Firebirds down in order to pick up his 38th save.

Steven Evans (9-7) picked up the loss out of the bullpen for Phoenix. He gave up the run on thiree hits in 1.2 innings of work. Shoe-Lace O’Tying picked up his 11th win on the season in his 118 pitch outing.

The Hops (76-70) will have tomorrow off as they head east to take on El Paso (72-74). The Blue Rocks are just (19-30) since the All-Star Break when they lead the ML Central at (53-44). They are currently ten games back of first place Santa Fe and 7.5 games out of a Wild Card.

Notes: Pedro Macias came on in relief of Angelo Chacin and had to leave the game after just seven pitches with tightness in his shoulder. An MRI revealed a tear in his shoulder. He will be done for the season and the team has placed him on the Injured List. They have recalled reliever Adrian Spanos from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Around the League: Tucson’s Peter Suzuki lined an RBI double in the 11th inning to help the Roadrunners win 6-5 in walk off fashion over Salt River. The Roadrunners have won seven straight as they try to keep their faint Desert League Wild Card hopes alive.

Left fielder Herb Clark doubled, homered and drove in all three runs as Las Vegas slipped by Glendale 3-2. The Nuggets have won six straight and eight of nine as have opened up a 1.5 game lead on Long Beach in the DL West race.

Rodney Millar blasted his 40th home run on the season in Phoenix in Tuesday’s 9-1 victory.

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Re: Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

Sept 16-18: FLAGSTAFF (77-72) @ EL PASO (74-75)
Stadium: Southwest University Park (Capacity: 9,323)

September 16: Hops 5, Blue Rocks 0
September 17: Blue Rocks 5, Hops 4
September 18: Blue Rocks 3, Hops 1

El Paso, TX (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops dropped two of three in El Paso to close out their road trip. The two losses have sunk the Hops four games back in the Wild Card chase with just 13 games left in the season.

The Hops opened the series with a 5-0 victory on Friday afternoon. Ryan Pressley tossed a complete game five-hit shutout to pick up his 11th win on the season.

Pressley would get all the run support that he would need in the third inning when Leandro Lugo doubled home Arturo Mardones. The Hops would then hit three solo home runs in the fourth to blow this one open as Rodney Millar (41), Josh Ortega (24) and Forrest Owen (15) all homered. Millar would add an RBI single in the fifth to make it 5-0.

The story was the starting pitching of Ryan Pressley. Pressley (11-11) tossed the complete game, allowing just five hits and striking out five while issuing no walks. He only threw 104 pitches as he threw his third complete game on the year.

The Hops have now won eight of nine and are just three games out of the second ML Wild Card spot. They are also a season high seven games over .500.

On Saturday afternoon, the Blue Rocks rebounded with a 5-4 victory over the Hops. Josh Hawks went 2 for 4 with a big two-run home run to help lead El Paso to the victory.

Flagstaff would jump out to a 2-0 lead after 2 1/2 innings on a Rodney Millar solo home run and Leandro Lugo RBI single. But the Blue Rocks would respond. Brandon Gayle tripled and scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the third to get them on the board. Casey Moore homered in the fourth to tie the game and Josh Hawk hit a two-run shot off of Sam Herzog in the fifth to make it 4-2.

The Hops would cut that lead to one in the sixth on an Emmitt Hampton solo home run.

El Paso would get a huge insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on a Gregory two-out RBI single. That ended up being so big because Rodney Millar led off the ninth with a solo home run to left, his second of the game and 43rd on the season. The Hops would then get two runners on with only one out before closer Sam Lopez got Forrest Owen to strikeout and Arturo Mardones to fly out to deep center to end the ball game.

Sam Herzog (10-7) took the loss. He only lasted 4 2/3, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits. He struck out three and walked none. Rookie Russell Fluty pitched the final 3 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits. He struck out three and walked one.

Alfonzo Murillo (7-4) picked up the win for El Paso. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out four. Sam Lopez picked up his 39th save despite giving up a run and getting himself into a jam that he worked out of.

Josh Hawk, with his two RBI in the game, now has 113 on the season, second in the Mountain League.

In the finale, the Hops had no answers for Luis Corella and dropped a 3-1 decision. Corella (11-13) went 6.2 innings, allowing just the one run on four hits while striking out four.

El Paso (74-75) would grab the lead in the third inning on a solo home run from Jorge Mosquera, his 8th on the year, and an RBI single from Shuheii Takahashi. Takahashi would also add a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning for some insurance.

Flagstaff’s only run came on a Rodney Millar solo home run in the seventh. It tied him atop the Mountain League with his 44th on the season.

John Benitez (4-7) would take the loss despite a decent outing. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

The Hops (77-72) will return home for their final home stand on the season as they will host Salt Lake (69-80) and St George (80-70).

Around the League: Roswell opened up a huge weekend series atop the ML Central with a 6-2 victory over first place Santa Fe. Roswell is without slugger and MVP candidate Blake Pacinelli who is out into late October with a broken arm. Pacinelli is second in the ML in batting average (.321), fifth in home runs (34) and fourth in RBIs (98). Both Long Beach and Las Vegas won in extra innings atop the DL West. The Nuggets beat rival Henderson 8-7 on an Enrique Lima three-run home run after the Silver Knight shad taken a two run lead in the top half of the tenth. The Surf Dawgs defeated Salt River 8-7 as Kyle Carroll homered in the tenth.

Long Beach’s struggles continue as they blew a 3-1 lead late and lost on a walk off home run from Rickey Grant as Salt River rallied for a 4-3 victory. The Surf Dawg loss combined with another Las Vegas victory now leaves Long Beach 3 1/2 games back of the Nuggets. Roswell has now taken the first three games from Santa Fe to take the lead in the ML Central by 1/2 game over the Silver Bullets after a 4-3 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Phoenix moved to within a game of first place Surprise as they shutout Goodyear 2-0 behind seven shutout innings from Fletcher Fluty. Meanwhile, Surprise lost 1-0 to Glendale to bunch up the race in the DL Central.

Long Beach defeated Salt River 6-5 and Las Vegas lost 7-6 in extra innings to Henderson to close the gap to just 2 1/2 games in the DL West. Long Beach and Las Vegas will play each other six times in the final 13 games.

Santa Fe scored three times in the top of the ninth to salvage the series finale with Roswell, 5-4. The win moved the Silver Bullets back into first place in the ML Central.

Rodney Millar is once again red-hot and is tied for the ML lead with 44 home runs.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

Here is an update on the division races and wild card races with just two weeks left in the season, and here are the remaining series for the contenders:

Gilbert (83-66): Goodyear, Yuma, @ Chandler, @ Mesa
Salt River (78-71): Yuma, Tucson, @ Glendale, @ Yuma
Phoenix (80-70): Glendale, Goodyear, @ Surprise, @ St George
Glendale (77-73): @ Phoenix, @ Long Beach, Salt River, Scottsdale
Surprise (81-69): @ Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Phoenix, @ Goodyear
Las Vegas (85-64): @ Long Beach, @ Surprise, San Diego, Long Beach
Long Beach (83-67): Las Vegas, Glendale, @ Henderson, @ Las Vegas
Fort Worth (82-69): @ Rio Rancho, @ San Diego, Amarillo, @ West Texas
San Antonio (84-66): @ West Texas, @ Amarillo, West Texas, Austin
Santa Fe (83-67): Chandler, Rio Rancho, @ Albuquerque, @ El Paso
Roswell (83-68): @ St George, @ Colorado Springs, @ Rio Rancho, Albuquerque
Albuquerque (77-73): @ Mesa, El Paso, Santa Fe, @ Roswell
Flagstaff (77-72): Salt Lake, St George, @ Salt Lake, @ Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs (83-67): Prescott, Roswell, @ St George, Flagstaff
St George (80-70): Roswell, @ Flagstaff, Colorado Springs, Phoenix

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: Intermountain Baseball League - Presented by BigJdotcom01

September 19-22: SALT LAKE (71-82) @ FLAGSTAFF (79-74)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,486)

September 19: Hops 9, Chukars 6
September 20: Chukars 5, Hops 2
September 21: Chukars 4, Hops 3
September 22: Hops 7, Chukars 4

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - The Flagstaff Hops kept their fading playoff hopes alive as the split a four game series with Salt Lake. A couple of heartbreaking losses in the middle of bookend wins leave the Hops Wild Card hopes in jeopardy.

The Hops opened up the four game series with a 9-6 victory over the Chukars. They blasted four home runs, led by Leandro Lugo, who went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in the victory.

Robbie Westbrook got the Hops on the board in the third with a two-run shot to right, his 28th on the season. Leandro Lugo would hit a solo shot in the fifth to put the Hops up 3-1.

The Chukars would hit three straight doubles with two outs in the sixth to tie the ballgame at 3-3. But Emmitt Hampton responded with a solo home run to right in the bottom half to put the Hops back up 4-3.

Flagstaff would then score four in the bottom of the seventh with the big blow being a three-run home run from Roberto Geronimo. It was his 38th on the year and that made it 8-3.

Rookie Russell Fluty came in to pitch the eighth and it did not go well. He faced just three batters and all three would reach base and score as the Chukars cut the lead to 8-6. Art Mason would skip a ball past a drawn in infield in the bottom half to plate a big insurance run.

Vic Miller would pitch the ninth and sent down the Chukars in order to record his 39th save on the season. Mark With (2-0) picked up the save out of the bullpen in relief of starter Angelo Chacin. Chacin went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five and walking one.

On Tuesday evening, the Chukars bounced back with a 5-2 victory to even the series. Thor Odinson (9-8) tossed seven strong innings and Pablo Gomes drove in four to help Salt Lake to the win.

The Chukars got to Shoe-Lace O’Tying in this one, building a 3-0 lead in the fourth thanks to a Pablo Gomes two-run homer and RBI double. Gomes would add an RBI single in the sixth to put the Chukars up 4-1.

The Hops got an RBI single from Robbie Westbrook in the fourth and a solo home run from Phillip Choi in the eighth.

Emmett Franco worked a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 39th save for Salt Lake.

Shoe-Lace O’Tying (11-8) only went five innings, allowing three runs on nine hits. He struck out five and walked one.

On Wednesday evening the Hops suffered a brutal 4-3 loss. Robby Payne hit a two-out, two-run home run off of Vic Miller in the top of the ninth and then the Hops left the bases loaded in the bottom half as they lost for the fourth time in five games.

The Hops led this one 3-1 after four innings thanks to back-to-back home runs from Josh Ortega and Forrest Owen, but they could not make that lead stick.

Julio Cervantes homered in the fifth off of Ryan Pressley and then Robby Payne hit the dagger in the ninth. Neither guy is a big power threat with cervantes hitting his fourth and Payne his 12th on the season.

The loss went to Vic Miller as he fell to (2-2) with his sixth blown save. The loss leaves the Hops four games back of a Wild Card spot with just 10 games left in the season. That is a tall task.

The Hops managed to salvage the finale 7-4 behind four home runs led by Josh Ortega’s two long balls.

Ortega homered in the third and fifth innings, going 3 for 3 as he drove in three runs.

Rafael Geronimo hit two home runs for the Chukars including a game tying home run to open the seventh off of starter Sam Herzog.

But the Hops rallied with four in the bottom half of the inning. Robbie Westbrook hit the first pitch of the inning over the wall in left center off of Daryl Pickett for his 29th on the year. Arturo Mardones would hit a three run blast later to put the Hops up by four.

Oliver Benedict (4-7) picked up the win out of the bullpen. He pitched two innings in relief of starter Sam Herzog. Herzog went six plus innings, allowing three run son four hits while striking out six.

Flagstaff (79-74) will now close out the home portion of their schedule with a three game series against St. George (82-71). The Archers are three games ahead of the Hops and just a half game out of a Wild Card spot. This series is huge for both teams.

Around the League: Yuma scored five times in the top of the ninth to stun Salt River 8-4. That result, coupled with a Gilbert 10-1 victory over Goodyear, leaves the Rafters six games back of the Barnstormers in the DL East.

Matt Campbell (11-11) tossed a complete game five-hit shutout, striking out nine as the San Diego Seals defeated the Henderson Silver Knights 6-0.

Las Vegas pounded out 17 hits as they opened a big three game series with Long Beach with a 13-3 victory. Steve Willis, the DL Cy Young favorite was rocked, lasting just 2/3 of an inning, allowing five runs on five hits, as his record dropped to (16-4).

Josh Ortega has had a great year for the Hops.