The Tropics return to the islands for a five-game home stand beginning with a three-game series against the San Fernando Bears. Hawaii has a 3-1 season series lead.
Game 1- The Tropics offense hits three homers and their pitching shuts out the Bears offense for a series opening win. Adhyapayana Mehta was 2 for 4 with a solo homer and a triple. He scored two runs and drove in a run. Shafiq Zahir was 2 for 4 with a three-run homer and a double. He scored a run and drove in four runs. Al Garrett was 2 for 3 with a solo homer, two runs scored and an RBI.
On the mound, Austin George pitched seven innings allowing just five hits with a walk and six Ks. He gets the win to improve to 4-7 with a 4.14 ERA. Juan Martinez threw 1 2/3 innings of relief with a walk and two Ks.
Hawaii wins 6-0.
Game 2- The Bears score two runs in the top of the 9th to steal a game from Hawaii and even the series 1-1. Hawaii reliever Juan Cerda couldn’t hold the lead as he gave up two runs on two hits with a K. He falls to 3-5 with a 4.50 ERA.
Semih Gurani made the start pitching 5 1/3 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on six hts and a walk. He fanned four batters in the no decision. Jesus Rios threw an inning with a K. Dominic Thompson threw 1 1/3 innings with a walk.
Al Garrett was 1 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. Thomas Kramer was 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.
San Fernando wins 5-3.
Game 3- The San Fernando Bears take advantage of two Tommy Kramer errors and get a series win. Kramer booted a grounder in the 3rd inning that allowed two runners to score. He booted another grounder in the 9th in an exact replay.
Kramer said, “It was two routine grounders, and I just took them too easy. My fault.”
Terry Hansen was the victim of the Kramer error. Hansen threw 3 1/3 innings allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks. He struck out five in the loss and falls to 7-6 with a 4.53 ERA. Alberto Castaneda got the situation under control with 2 2/3 solid innings. He allowed just a hit while fanning three batters. Juan Martinez followed that up with a clean inning. Angel Hernandez then fired 1 2/3 clean innings and struck out four of the five batters he faced.
Pedro Huerta was 2 for 4 with a stolen base, two runs scored and an RBI. Shafiq Zahir was 2 for 4 with a solo homer, a run scored and two ribbies. Tommy Kramer was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
San Fernando wins 7-5.
The Bears win the series 2-1.
GM Jim Walker said, “The Pacific is a buzz saw this season. It’s more difficult to dominate teams.”
