Hops power past Indians with pair of home runs

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Nate Robertson and Gerard Hernandez hit two-run home runs, leading the Hillsboro Hops to a 6-0 Northwest League baseball win over the Spokane Indians on Monday night. Robertson hit his third homer in the third inning and Hernandez his first in the fourth off Spokane starter Emerson Martinez (1-3). The Hops (15-11), added two runs in the eighth against John Kukuruda after Kohsuke Tomita pitched two perfect innings. Jeferson Mejia (2-2) picked up the win for Hillsboro, which remained on top of the Southern Division standings. Spokane (13-13) dropped to four games behind Everett in the Northern Division. The Northwest League takes today off for the Major League All-Star Game. The Indians are home on Wednesday to start a series with Tri-City, which is in second place, a game ahead of Spokane. Yeyson Yrizarri and Sherman Lacrus each had three hits, including a double, for Spokane. Tyler Sanchez had the other hit. The Indians stranded 10 runners and went 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Spokane had the bases loaded in the second with one out but Doug Votolato grounded into a double play. In the eighth the Indians had runners on second and third with one out but Cameron Gann ended the threat with a pair of strikeouts. Hillsboro added insurance runs on two singles, a passed ball, a groundout and Zach Hoffpauir’s single. Gann allowed a walk and a single to start the ninth but ended up striking out the side despite giving up a two-out walk.