The Tropics play a three-game series against the Valencia Stars to finish the home stand. The Stars lead the season series 7-2.
Game 1- The Stars score two runs in the top of the 9th to steal a win and extend the Hawaii losing streak to six. Trops manager Alonso Alonso stuck with reliever Angel Hernandez an inning too long. Hernandez gave up the go ahead two run homer in the 9th after a nice 1-2-3 8th. Hernandez finished with an inning pitched allowing two runs on three hits and a walk. He struck out a batter and falls to 4-5 with 4 blown saves.
Alonso said, “This loss is on me.”
GM Jim Walker retorted, “You’re damn right it is!”
Terry Hansen made the start for Hawaii pitching six innings. He allowed two runs on three hits with a walk while fanning six batters. Alberto Castaneda pitched an inning allowing a run on a solo shot in the 7th inning. He also walked a one and struck out one.
Adhyapayana Mehta had a great day at the dish going 4 for 5. He had three singles, a double, a stolen base, a run scored and an RBI. Mehta is hitting .296 with 8 homers and 35 RBI.
Thomas Kramer was 2 for 4 with a double, scored a run and drove in one. Kramer is hitting .261 with 8 homers and 61 RBI while batting in the bottom of the order.
Valencia wins 5-4.
Game 2- The Tropics out hit the Stars 13-9, but the offense can produce just two runs as Hawaii falls again to the Stars. Tommy Kramer was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Ramao ‘Massacre’ Saturnino was 2 for 4 with a run scored, an RBI and was caught stealing.
Angelo Lucchesi and Mike Campbell both had three hits in the game.
Michael Kalil pitched a good game for Hawaii throwing 87 pitches in seven innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out four but falls to 4-6 with a 4.32 ERA. Angel Hernandez pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing just a hit with two Ks.
Valencia wins 4-2.
Game 3- Valencia Stars starter Ken Arroyo shut out Hawaii for eight innings as the Stars complete the series sweep. Mehta (2 for 4), Lucchesi (2 for 4) and Pedro Huerta (1 for 4) were the only Tropics to get a hit.
Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds took the loss for Hawaii after throwing four innings allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out five batters as he falls to 3-9 with a 5.04 ERA. Chih Kuang was solid in relief of Reynolds pitching two innings of scoreless ball. He allowed a hit and fanned four batters. Juan Cerda required just 27 pitches to get through three innings to finish the game. He allowed just a hit while striking out three batters.
Valencia wins 3-0.
The Stars sweep the three-game series.
GM Jim Walker said, “The manager needs to be better.”
