Thwaits takes loss in NWL series

PASCO, Wash. — The Dust Devils spotted Nick Thwaits a run in the bottom of the first inning.

The Hops erased the deficit in the third. One frame later, the dagger was dealt.

Thwaits, a 2018 Fort Recovery High School graduate, and the Tri-City Dust Devils had their season come to an end with a 3-1 loss to the Hillsboro Hops in Game 5 of the Northwest League Championship Series on Tuesday at Gesa Stadium.

It was the third NWL title in the last six years for the Hops, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tri-City went out front on a Kelvin Melean single in the bottom of the first inning that scored Reinaldo Ilarraza.

Two frames later, Thwaits, a 15th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2018 MLB Draft, plunked Ricky Martinez, who advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt.

Martinez and Hillsboro tied the game on a Corbin Carroll double two batters later.

In the fourth inning, Lyle Lin hit a two-out double off Thwaits, and Ryan January singled home the eventual game-winning run.

Thwaits, who took the loss, surrendered four hits over four innings, allowed two earned runs while also striking out one and walking one.

The Hops added an insurance run in the seventh inning.

Nick Gatewood doubled and singled for Tri-City, and Melean finished with two hits.