The Tropics finish up their home stand with a three-game series against the Sacramento Mad Popes.
Game 1- The Mad Popes and Tropics battle to a 1-1 tie through ten innings, but Sacramento breaks through for the win with a two-run eleventh to take the series opener. Hawaii starter Carlos Valle was good on this day with six innings of scoreless ball. He gave up just four hits, walked a batter and struck out three. Austin George came on in relief and stumbled giving up a run on two hits and a walk. He struck out a batter in an inning of work. Alberto Castaneda took the ball from George and he was solid. He pitched two innings allowing just three hits with a K. Angel Hernandez took the loss for the Tropics allowing the two runs in the eleventh on four hits and a walk. He also struck out two batters in 1 2/3 innings. He falls to 0-5 with a 4.39 ERA.
GM Jim Walker said, “Hernandez was brought in to keep us in games and give us a chance to win. He has been good when there is no stress but add some stress, he gives up big runs.”
Carlos Sanchez was the DH for Hawaii and was 2 for 5 with a solo homer in the fourth inning. Karunamaya Makarand was 2 for 5 and Adhyapayana Mehta was 1 for 3 with a double.
Sacramento wins 3-1.
Game 2- The Tropics ensure this game doesn’t head to extras as the offense puts up three multi-run innings to run away with the game and even the series at 1-1. Adhyapayana Mehta led the way for Hawaii with a big day at the plate. He was 3 for 4 with three doubles, a walk, two runs scored and drove in three runs. Shafiq Zahir was 1 for 4 with two ribbies. Hector Vazquez was 1 for 1 with two RBI pinch hitting for Zahir in the bottom of the eighth inning. Thomas Kramer is beginning to contribute some at the plate. He was 2 for 4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Angelo Lucchesi was 2 for 3 with a walk and three run scored.
On the mound, Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds pitched five scoreless innings giving up just four hits, a walk and fanned six batters. The Teddy Bear improves to 2-4 with a 4.72 ERA. The ‘good’. Jason Wellon made an appearance allowing just a run on a solo homer. He also walked a couple of batters in two innings of work. Sumitomo Takahashi worked in 1 2/3 innings allowing two hits while striking out a batter.
Hawaii wins 10-1.
Game 3- The Z-monster clubbed the Hawaii offense over the head and put them back to sleep as Sacramento wins the game easily. Ron Shiplack managed to get 2 of the 5 hits for Hawaii. Shiplack was 2 for 4 with a double.
Terry Hansen made it through the lineup just one time before the flood gates opened. He allowed five runs on ten hits and a walk in five innings of work. He threw 84 pitches and struck out two batters. He falls to 3-7 with a 6.08 ERA. Austin George gave up a run on two hits and a walk while he struck out two batters in 1 2/3 innings. Ronnie Sprinkles has shaken off his doldrums to hold the Mad Popes hitless and scoreless through 2 1/3 innings while he also walked a batter.
Sacramento wins 6-1.
Sacramento wins the series 2-1.
