The Tropics finish their long home stand with a three-game series against the Seattle Storm. Hawaii holds a 5-1 series advantage over the Storm.
Game 1- The Tropics score a run in the 6th and two in the 7th to pull away in the series opener. In the 6th inning, Hawaii CF Angelo Lucchesi hit a one out double, tagged up on a fly ball to take 3rd then scored on a wild pitch to give the Trops the lead. In the 7th, Pedro Huerta slapped a two-run single to right field that scored Quinton Lara and Adhyapayana Mehta to extend the lead.
Mehta was 0 for 2 with two walks and scored two runs. Ramao ‘Massacre’ Saturnino was 2 for 4 with a first inning two-run homer. Huerta was 2 for 3 with a walk and two ribbies. Lucchesi was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Lara was 2 for 3 with a run scored.
Terry Hansen pitched five innings allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and walked four batters. He struck out two batters but had a no decision. Chih Kuang gave up the game tying run after relieving Hansen and blew the save but vultured the win. He pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing two hits with three Ks. He improves to 2-0 with a 5.65 ERA. Dominic Thompson pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing just a hit to earn his 10th hold. Alberto Castaneda threw a clean ninth for his 5th save of the season.
Hawaii wins 5-2.
Game 2- Hawaii and Seattle play a close game until the 9th when the Storm blow the game open with 6 runs to even the series 1-1. Hawaii reliever Dominic Thompson had a meltdown as he gave up five runs on four hits and a walk while getting just one out.
Michael Kalil pitched seven innings allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk. He fanned five batters but takes the loss and falls to 4-3 with a 3.88 ERA.
Pedro Huerta was 2 for 4 with a triple and a run scored.
Seattle wins 10-2.
Game 3- Seattle keeps another game close in Hawaii to steal a win late and take the series from the Trops. Hawaii reliever Juan Cerda took the loss after allowing three runs on two hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning. He falls to 3-6 with a 4.52 ERA and three blown saves.
Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds made the start going four innings allowing a run on five hits and a walk in a no decision. Juan Martinez allowed a run in his appearance going 2 1/3 innings with two Ks. Tye Whitford threw 1 1/3 innings allowing just a hit with three Ks. Chih Kuang pitched a clean ninth inning.
Masaki ‘Icon’ Sato was 2 for 2 with two walks, a double and an RBI. Rookie SS Will Patterson was 1 for 4 with a solo homer in the 3rd inning.
Seattle wins 5-2.
The Storm win the series 2-1.
GM Jim Walker said, “We let this one get away. These are the series we need to win.”
