The Tropics travel to Sacramento for a three-game series against Pacific Division leader Mad Popes. The season series is tied 3-3.
Game 1- The Mad Popes give up a run to the Trops in the 1st inning then score two of their own to take the lead. They then tack on three more in the 2nd inning before both offenses fall asleep.
Hawaii starter Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds gave up five runs (two earned) on eight hits as he gets tagged with another loss. He falls to 3-8 with a 5.19 ERA. Alberto Castaneda kept the Mad Popes offense at bay with 2 2/3 solod innings. He gave up two hits while striking out a batter. Tye Whitford followed that effort with two scoreless innings. He also gave up two hits and walked one.
Adhyapayana Mehta was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Pedro Huerta was 2 for 4, Mike Campbell was 1 for 2 with a walk and Rhys Brickell was 2 for 4 but committed a costly error.
Sacramento wins 5-1.
Game 2- The Tropics take a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the 6th inning before the Popes score a run then score two more in the 7th to take the lead. Sacramento’s bullpen then silenced Hawaii’s offense with four no hit innings to secure the win.
Hawaii starter Austin George was cruising along until that fateful 6th inning. He pitched 6 1/3 innings allowing four runs on seven hits. He fanned nine batters in a no decision. Jesus Rios took the loss after giving up the go ahead solo homer. He falls to 1-1 with a blown save.
Mehtas was 1 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Thomas Kramer was 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Mike Campbell was 1 for 4 with a two-run double.
Sacramento wins 5-4.
Game 3- The Tropics ride a roller coaster in this game but survive a late Mad Popes surge to avoid being swept. Frank McMillan (1 for 5, 2-run HR) struck early with a two-run blast to put Hawaii up early. Leading 5-1 going into the 8th, the Trops get a two-run shot from Ramao ‘Massacre’ Saturnino. Sacramento then put a scare into the Tropics fans everywhere with a three-run bottom of the 8th to cut the lead to 7-4. Angel Hernandez came on for Hawaii and put out the fire with two scoreless innings for the save. He allowed four hits and struck out a batter.
Semih Gurani made the start for Hawaii throwing 5 1/3 innings allowing just three hits with a couple of walks. He earns the win to improve to 9-7 with a 3.68 ERA. Juan Martinez was pushed around by the Mad Popes offense for three runs on four hits and a walk in 2/3 of an inning.
Rhys Brickell was 1 for 5 with a double and a run scored. Al Garrett was 2 for 4 with a double and a solo homer. He walked, scored three runs and drove in a run. Will Patterson was 2 for 3 with a double and two ribbies. Ramao Saturnino was 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI.
Hawaii wins 7-4.
Sacramento wins the series 2-1.
GM Jim Walker said, “The Mad Popes do the little things well. They put the ball in play and keep the pressure on.”
