The Hawaii Tropics will travel to San Fernando for a four-games series with the Bears before returning home for a long home stand.
Game 1- The Tropics score two runs in the 7th and two more in the 8th to extend their lead as the take the series opener. Mitch Wareham, Carlos Sanchez and rookie Bob Chastain drive in two runs apiece to power the Hawaii offense. Wareham was 2 for 5 with his 31st double. Sanchez was 2 for 4 with is 15th double, and Chastain was 1 for 2 with a two-run blast in the 8th for his 2nd career homer.
Ricardo Tapia made the start for Hawaii going four innings allowing a run on two hits and a couple of walks. He struck out four in a no decision. Phil Thompson followed with two scoreless innings to earn the win. He allowed two hits and fanned two as he improves to 6-7 with a 4.18 ERA. Luis Perez gave his team two innings allowing a run on two hits with two Ks. Juan Martinez cleaned up with a scoreless 9th. He walked one with a K.
Hawaii wins 6-2.
Game 2- Hawaii’s offense puts up a six-run 3rd inning but the bullpen gave it all up with an ugly performance. SS Thomas Kramer capped off the big inning with his 5th career Grand Slam. Kramer was 3 for 4 on the day and is hitting .267 with 10 HR and 54 RBI. 2B Will Patterson was 2 for 3 with a solo homer in the 3rd.
Gerardo Rea made the start for Hawaii and could only make it 4.1 innings as the Bears were patient at the plate making him throw 91 pitches. He allowed two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds gave up two runs on two hits with 1.2 innings while fanning four batters. Utkan Gocek was where things blew up. He was awful in this appearance allowing three runs (two earned) on a hit and a walk without getting anyone out. He took the loss and falls to 5-5 with his 5th blown save. It got worse from there as the next three relievers gave up four more runs to put the game out of reach.
San Fernando wins 11-6.
Game 3- Hawaii starter Elvin Hilliard ran out of gas again after a good start as he gave up four late runs. He pitched five scoreless before giving up those runs in the 6th. Luis Perez gave up the lead in the 8th after allowing the second run of his appearance. He pitched 1.2 innings allowing two runs on four hits and a walk as he falls to 5-3 with his 5th blown save.
RF Russ McHaney was 2 for 4 with a two-run homer in the 5th inning. Tommy Kramer was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. 1B Karunamaya Makarand was 2 for 4 and scored two runs.
San Fernando wins 6-5.
Game 4- Hawaii’s offense is the culprit in this game as the Trops can’t get anything going and the Bears get a one-run victory. Mitch Wareham was 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI.
On the mound, rookie pitcher Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta pitched three scoreless innings giving up four hits, a walk and struck out two batters. The Teddy Bear took another loss after allowing two runs on three hits with a K in 2.1 innings. He falls to 8-5 with a 3.55 ERA.
San Fernando wins 3-2.
The Bears win the series 3-1.
