Alvarez launches 3 HRs in Hopatcong win

Hopatcong's Pedro Alvarez had collected 3 HRs before he stepped to the plate in the 9th inning with a chance to tie a league record with his 4th dong.

Instead, El Paso took the bat out of his hands when Archie Bradley intentionally walked the lefty slugger with two out and a man on 2nd, trailing 7-3. Bradley struck out the next batter, Tim Anderson, to end the inning. The Chihuahuas went quietly in the bottom of the 9th and the Floating Fish locked down a win in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Alvarez was aiming to join an exclusive club with a record 4 HRs in one game. Only five players have accomplished the feat, most recently Josh Donaldson of Poovey Farms who pummeled Hoboken pitchers on May 30, 2016. Also accomplishing the feat have been Chris Carter (Hillsborough, 2013), Rafael Palmeiro (Kentucky, 2000), Jeff Bagwell (Vancouver, 1998), and Jose Canseco (Arkansas, 1997).

Alvarez hit solo shots in the 2nd and 4th innings before a three-run blast in the 6th broke a 3-3 tie, finally sending El Paso starter Jeremy Hellickson to the showers. Hopatcong tacked on a run in the 7th on a Yoenis Cespedes home run, and also had a Gary Sanchez solo shot in the 4th, tallying 5 HRs on the day. Alvarez had grounded to short in 7th and needed the Fish to take a few walks to even have a chance to see the plate again in the 9th.

Most impressive was that Alvarez did it on the road in El Paso (Busch Stadium) and not in Hopatcong's home park, The Mud Hole (new Yankee Stadium). He finished the day 3-5 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBI.

Tim Adleman went 6 innings to improve to 3-0 while the Hopatcong bullpen finished up behind Jacob Barnes and two innings from Tony Watson. Hellickson took the loss, pitching into the 6th but yielding 6 runs in 5 innings.