Shane Muntz hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs to power the Hillsboro Hops to a 6-2 victory against the Tri-City Dust Devils on Saturday night in Pasco, Washington.
Muntz’s shot to left-center field came with Hillsboro holding a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth inning. It was the Hops’ first home run of the season.
The win came in front of 1,428 at Gesa Stadium and clinched the series for the Hops (2-1), who now will return to Hillsboro for their home opener Tuesday night against the Everett AquaSox.
Jesus Valdez finished 3 for 5 with a triple and an RBI, and the third baseman had a highlight defensive play in the fourth inning that denied Tri-City’s Brendan Tinsman of a base hit.
Muntz and Valdez each had RBI singles in the first inning to put the Hops up 2-0. Tri-City (1-2) got one run back in the second on Osmy Gregorio’s groundout, and then the teams each got a run across in the eighth.
Six Hillsboro pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts, with starter Marcos Tineo fanning five across 3 1/3 innings. Jose Alcantara (1-0), who came on in relief of Tineo, picked up the victory after tossing 1 2/3 shutout innings.
Next up: Hillsboro vs. Everett, 7:05 p.m. Tuesday (Rip City Radio KPOJ 620).
