The Tropics leave Hawaii and limp into the Twin Cities for a three game series with the River Monsters at Land O’Lakes Ballpark.
Game 1- The Tropics jump out to an 8-4 lead but the supposedly vaunted pitching staff bumbles their way to another loss. SP Zak Johnson is given plenty of run support but still gives up 6 runs on 7 hits, a walk and strikes out 5 batters in 5 2/3 innings. He was followed by RP Maxime Manceau who could nit get his job done. He allows 2 runs on 2 hits, a walk and strikes out 1 in 1 1/3 innings. The icing on this towing cake of dung was provided by RP Luis Santiago. Santiago gave up the go ahead run on 2 hits and struck out 1 in an inning of work. He took the loss and falls to 4-5 on the season.
The offense did their job well and were led by DH Ernest McBride. McBride was 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 2 runs and 6 RBI. SS Miguel Rodriguez helped out going 3 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.
Twin Cities wins 9-8.
Game 2- The Tropics offense again stakes their starter to a lead and watch it get wasted away gopher balls and just plain bad pitching. This games offender was SP Luis Torres. Torres surrendered 7 runs on 11 hits (3 homers), a walk, and struck out 3 batters over 5 1/3 innings.
Hawaii did manage to tie the game in the eighth at 7-7 to go to extras. The Tropics scored 1 in the eleventh to take the lead and provide some hope. That proved to be false hope, as rookie pitcher Bob McConnell takes the ball to try and get the save. McConnell could muster just 1 out as the River Monsters score 2 and walk off winners.
SS Miguel Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with a walk, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
3B Gary Allen had a big day going 3 for 6 with a homer, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI and a stolen base. Allen said later, “I found my trusty old batting gloves. That’s all in needed.”
C Ron Shiplack was 3 for 6 with a double and 3 RBI.
Twin Cities wins 9-8.
Game 3- The Tropics jump out to a lead for the third straight game but the results are the same. This time the River Monsters blow out the Tropics and sweep the series. This were looking good again as Ernest McBride hit a solo homer in the first but the homer bug has bitten the Hawaii pitching staff. SP Niccolo “Notorious” Destefani who had Benn having a good year up to this point, gave up 6 runs on 8 hits (2 homers), a walk and struck out 2 batters over 3 2/3 innings. Things got worse from there.
McBride was 1 for 4 with that first inning solo homer.
Twin Cities wins 9-1 and sweeps the series.
The Tropics return home for a three game series with the Omaha Cyclones at Diamond Head.
Game 1- The Cyclones extend the Tropics losing streak to 6 game with a big win at Diamond Head.
3B Gary Allen was 3 for 4 with a double, a run and a RBI.
SP Jesus Gonzalez pitched 5 innings, allowed 4 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks and struck out 5.
Omaha wins 8-4.
Game 2- The Tropics grind out a win as they break the 6 game losing streak. CF Ronnie Hubbard goes 2 for 3 Sith a solo homer, a double, 2 runs, an RBI and a stolen base. SP Luis Torres gives up 3 runs on 6 hits, no walks and 3 strike out over 5 2/3 innings. RP Norm McConnell pitches a clean ninth for his 22nd save of the season.
LF Bastiao Fardos added a solo homer in 3 at bats.
Hawaii wins 4-3.
Game 3- The Tropics commit 2 errors and can’t overcome Omaha Starter Lee McHone. McHone went the distance allowing just 1 run on 5 hits and struck out 3 batters.
Tropics Starter Zak Johnson had another poor start going 6 1/3 innings diving up 4 runs on 6 hits, a walk and struck out 7 batters.
Fardos was 2 for 4 with a run scored and was caught stealing.
Omaha wins 6-1 and wins the series 2-1.
