The Tri-City Dust Devils carved out a memorable chapter in franchise history this week, completing a commanding six-game sweep of the Hillsboro Hops — the club’s first ever sweep of a six-game series in the Northwest League’s full-season era, which began in 2021.
Tri-City capped off the milestone with a 5-2 victory Sunday evening at Gesa Stadium, wrapping up a week in which the team outscored Hillsboro 53-24 and fired on all cylinders at the plate, on the mound, and in the field.
Setting the Tone Early
The Dust Devils opened the series Tuesday with a crisp 7-4 win, powered by a quick three-run first inning. Leadoff catalyst Alexander Ramirez was a spark plug from the jump, scoring twice and setting the table for a relentless offense. Starter Joel Hurtado handled the Hops with five strong innings to earn the victory.
Offensive Outburst and Record Runs
Wednesday saw Tri-City put on an offensive clinic, erupting for a season-high 17 runs — the club’s most in a single game since 2015. Ramirez stayed red-hot with a double and two RBI, while Matt Coutney and Casey Dana each cleared the fence to lead the onslaught. Every hitter reached base as the Dust Devils overwhelmed Hillsboro pitching to stretch the win streak to two.
Vineros Keep Rolling
The momentum carried into Thursday as Tri-City donned their “Vineros de Tri-City” Copa identity and cruised to an 8-1 win. Casey Dana starred again with three RBI at the plate, while Caden Dana (no relation) dominated on the mound, striking out eight over five shutout frames.
Gritty Finish to a Wild Friday
Friday’s contest tested the Dust Devils’ resolve. After exploding for eight early runs, including a clutch three-run homer from Osmy Gregorio, the Hops clawed back to make it a one-run game. The Tri-City bullpen, anchored by Bryce Osmond and closer Nick Jones, bent but didn’t break, stranding the tying run in scoring position to secure an 8-7 nail-biter.
Balanced Attack and Steady Arms
On Saturday, Tri-City’s consistent offense and dependable arms carried them to an 8-5 win. Ramirez continued to shine with two more hits and two RBI, while Myro Caraballo delivered a key two-run double to widen the lead. Chris Clark earned the win with five innings of three-run ball.
Closing It Out in Style
With history on the line Sunday, the Dust Devils remained composed and efficient, closing the series with a 5-2 triumph. Ramirez capped his dominant week with two more hits and a stolen base, while Dana added an RBI double. Reliever Nick Horvath sealed the sweep with three scoreless innings to silence any late Hillsboro hopes.
What’s Next
This sweep marks Tri-City’s first series sweep of any length since a three-game sweep at Hillsboro to open the 2022 season — but this six-game perfection sets a new standard for the club in its modern era.
Riding a six-game winning streak and brimming with confidence, the Dust Devils now turn their focus north, heading to Vancouver for another six-game showdown with the Canadians. First pitch Tuesday night is set for 7:05 p.m. Follow the action at https://www.milb.com/tri-city-dust-devils.