The Tropics return to the island after the disastrous trip to San Fernando. Hawaii will host the Portland Lumberjacks in a three game series at Diamond Head.
Game 1- The Tropics take out their frustrations on the Lumberjacks in the series opener. RF Mike Campbell goes 2 for 5 with a double and a triple. He drove in 5 runs and scored 2. DH Ernest McBride was 2 for 5 with a homer, a run and 4 RBI. McBride has 40 homers on the season.
SP Jesus Gonzalez got the job done going 5 1/3 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 6 and improves to 10-8.
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Hawaii wins 12-2.
Game 2- The Tropics score 4 in the bottom of the eight to pull away from the Lumberjacks. 1B Manuel Aguilar, Jr. was 4 for 4 to lead Hawaii hitters. Aguilar, Jr. singled twice, doubled and homered. He drove in 2 and scored 2 runs. DH Ernest McBride added a solo shot.
SP Alaric Wullenweber went 6 innings allowing 1 run on 7 hits, a walks and struck out 9 batters. He improves to 11-9 with a 3.52 ERA.
RP Felipe Lopez gave 3 innings of good relief pitching. He allowed a run on 2 hits and struck out 2.
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Hawaii wins 7-2.
Game 3- The Tropics Jekyll and Hyde bullpen saga continues. This team for the good as the ‘pen provides 4 innings of no hit ball to secure the win. SP Zak Johnson pitcher the first 5 innings allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and no walks. He struck out 3 batters and secured his 9th win of the season. Then the string of relievers took the ball and pitched to their script.
First up was rookie Juan Hernandez. Hernandez pitched 2/3 of an inning walking 1 and striking out 1 in his Brewster debut.
The struggling Luis Torres took the hill next and pitched a clean inning. He was followed by the Dutchman Douglas Wils. Wils pitched an 1 1/3, walking 1 and struck out 2. Then, for the save, RP Norm McConnell pitched a clean ninth and struck out 2 for his 25th.
3B Gary Allen was 1 for 3 with a 2 run homer and a walk.
CF Ronnie Hubbard was 2 for 4 with a solo homer and a stolen base.
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The Tropics finish the home stand with a three game series withe the Seattle Storm at Diamond Head.
Game 1- The Trops were trailing 5-2 going into the bottom of the eighth when Ernest McBride sparks the offense with a solo homer. Manuel Aguilar follows with a double and scores on a Ronnie Hubbard triple. Hubbard the scores the tying run on a Miguel Rodriguez single. Rodriguez scored on a double by backup catcher Steffen Peterson. Then Petersen scored on a triple by Bastiao Fardos to cap the 5 run inning.
Norm McConnell pitched the ninth for his 26th save.
Stephen Taub got the start and pitched 6 innings. He allowed 3 runs on 7 hits and struck out 2 batters in a no decision.
McBride ended up 3 for 3 on the day with a double and 2 homers. He scored 2 and drove in 2.
Petersen was 2 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI. He has hit .266 with 3 homers and 12 RBI when giving Ron Shiplack a break.
Hawaii wins 7-5.
Game 2- the Tropics survive a big ninth inning from the Storm to take the second game of the series. Hawaii SP Niccolo “Notorious” Destefani kept the Storm of the scoreboard going 8 strong innings and allowing just 6 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 5 before yielding to the ‘pen. After RP Luis Santiago struggled to contain the Storm hitters, Norm McConnell trotted in and recorded the final two outs for his 27th save.
Gary Allen, Manuel Aguilar and Ronnie Hubbard hit solo homers for Hawaii.
Destefani is now 11-7 with a 3.84 ERA.
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Hawaii wins 4-3.
Game 3- Manuel Aguilar, Jr. continues his hot streak going 2 for 4 with a Grand Slam, a run and 6 RBI. Ernest McBride was 3 for 3 with 2 singles, a double and 2 walks. He cored 3 runs. Gary Allen was 1 for 4 with a three run homer. He scored 2 runs and drove in 4.
Jesus Gonzalez pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 6 batters and improved to 11-8 with a 4.88 ERA.
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Hawaii wins 14-3 and sweeps the series.
