Ronnie Gajownik made history on Thursday night as the first woman to manage a High-A minor league baseball team, but a victory did not accompany her debut with the Hops as Hillsboro lost 9-2 at Tri-City in the 2023 season opener.
The Dust Devils broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning by scoring six runs on the way to the lopsided win in front of 1,628 at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, Washington.
Arol Vera gave Tri-City the lead with his two-run single and finished 2 for 5 with two runs scored. Gabe Matthews, a former Oregon Ducks standout, went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs for the Dust Devils.
Hops pitchers struggled, walking 10 Tri-City batters and hitting one.
J.J. D’Orazio and Jesus Valdez each had two hits and an RBI in their Hops debuts. D’Orazio’s night at the plate also included a triple and a walk.
Next up: Hillsboro and Tri-City will play the second game of their series at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Rip City Radio 620).
