The Tropics hop on their charter and wave goodbye to Omaha and make their next stop in the Twin Cities. They play a four-game series against the River Monsters at the Land O’Lakes Ballpark. Hawaii has a 3-1 season series lead against the River Monsters.
Game 1- The Tropics end their four-game losing streak as the bullpen finally holds on to a lead. Michael Kalil threw 88 pitches but made it through just 4 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks. He fanned two batters in a no decision. Alberto Castaneda gave up a couple of runs in 1 2/3 innings of work but earned the win. He allowed two hits, a walk and struck out two batters. He improves to 7-1 with a 4.54 ERA. Juan Cerda set the tone the rest of the way for Hawaii as he pitched two scoreless innings allowing just a hit while fanning three batters. Angel Hernandez earned the save with a scoreless inning. He struck out one and recorded his 7th save of the season.
Adhyapayana Mehta was 3 for 5 with a double, a run scored and two ribbies. Mike Campbell was 2 for 5 with a two-run homer in the 3rd inning. Thomas Kramer was 1 for 2 with two walks and a double. He scored three runs and drove in a run.
Hawaii wins 7-5.
Game 2- Hawaii pitchers seem to have solved some of their issues as they shut down the Twin Cities offense to take a 2-0 series lead. Hawaii starter Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds pitched four innings allowing just a run on four hits and a walk while fanning six batters. Jason Wellon continues to be an enigma this season but he shows signs of improvement. He pitched 2 1/3 innings giving up just two hits and a couple of walks. Rookie Phil Thompson pitched a scoreless inning. He gave up a hit and walked a batter. Chih Kuang earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball. He allowed a hit and struck out two batters. He improves to 3-0 with a 4.96 ERA.
Mehta was 1 for 5 with a run scored. Ramao ‘Massacre’ Saturnino was 3 for 5 with a solo homer in the 9th inning to put Hawaii up for good.
Hawaii wins 2-1.
Game 3- Hawaii starter Austin George was brilliant for seven innings allowing just a run on two hits and a walk. He struck out two batters as he improves to 7-11 with a 4.15 ERA. Alberto Castaneda pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings to get his first hold of the season. He walked two and struck out two. Rookie Bill Ritz made his first BBA appearance pitching 2/3 of an inning and throwing just seven pitches.
Mehta was 2 for 5 with a double and scored a run. Saturnino was 2 for 4 with a walk and scored a run. Pedro Huerta was 1 for 4 with a double, a walk, stole a base, scored a run and drove in two runs.
Hawaii wins 4-1.
Game 4- Hawaii earns the series sweep as starter Semih Gurani combined with two relievers to allow just a run on four hits. Gurani gave up the run and all four hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and four Ks. He earned the win to improve to 10-11 with a 4.78 ERA.
Gurani said, “I had a better feel today but I’m still walking too many hitters.”
Juan Cerda pitched well for 1 2/3 innings earning his 10th hold. He walked one and fanned two batters. He handed the ball to Jason Wellon who threw two scoreless innings to earn his 3rd save. He walked one and struck out one.
Ramao Saturnino was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Mitch Wareham had his first career hit with a double in the 4th inning. He also scored his 1st career run. Pedro Huerta was 2 for 4 with a couple of singles, a stolen base and drove in a run. Rhys Brickell was 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Hawaii wins 2-1.
The Tropics sweep the four-game series.
GM Jim Walker said, “Much better after that result against the Cyclones. Mehta was great. He hit .800 for the series and annoyed Twin Cities fans.”
