The next lucky contestant in the kick Hawaii’s ass sweepstakes us the Sacramento Mad Popes. They will play a four-games series at ‘Iolani Palace.
Game 1- The Tropics barely win a slugfest against the M’opes after the bullpen gave up 8 late runs. The error by SS Thomas Kramer didn’t help his teammates out of the ‘pen. That error led to 5 unearned runs, two given up by John Moore and three more by Manny Ortiz. Before the dumpster fire was started, Elvin Hilliard pitched 5.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits with five Ks to earne the win. He improves to 5-5 with a 4.18 ERA. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds used 11 pitches to get through 1.1 innings. He held the M’opes hitless but left the game with some shoulder soreness. Then all hell broke loose.
The offense was all 1B Tomas Borges. He was 4 for 5 with two homers, scored three runs and drove in a Hawaii regular season game record 9 RBI. He hit a Grand Slam in the 6th inning and a two-run blast in the 8th. C Frank McMillan was 3 for 3 with two doubles, a three-run jack and drew two walks. He scored four runs and had three RBI. DH Katsumi Matsumoto was 1 for 5 and scored two runs.
Hawaii wins 15-10.
Game 2- Sacramento evened the series with Hawaii as their offense jumped out to an early lead. Hawaii starter Semih Gurani was battered for four runs on six hits in 2.1 innings. He took the loss to fall to 2-3 with a 3.23 ERA. John Moore gave up two more runs on three hits in 2.1 innings or relief. Utkan Gocek was good out of the ‘pen throwing 2.1 scoreless innings. He allowed a hit and fanned a batter. Juan Martinez followed that up with two more scoreless innings giving up just a hit and fanned three batters.
On offense, Tommy Kramer was 1 for 3 with a walk and two RBI. McMillan was 1 for 3 and scored a run. RF Carlos Sanchez was 1 for 4 and scored a run.
Sacramento wins 6-2.
Game 3- The Mad Popes win a pitcher’s duel after scoring the go-ahead run in the 8th then holding the Trops to a couple of hits the rest of the way. Hawaii’s only run came on a Frank McMillan solo homer in the 7th inning that tied the game up 1-1.
Hawaii used a bullpen day with Bill Williams making the start. He pitched 3.2 innings allowing a run on three hits and struck out three. He passed the ball to Manny Ortiz who pitched three scoreless innings. He gave up two hits, walked a batter and struck out two. Bill Phillips took the loss after allowing the go-ahead run on a hit and a walk in 2.1 innings. He struck out one as he falls to 2-4 with a 2.97 ERA.
Sacramento wins 2-1.
Game 4- The Mad Popes secure the series win with good pitching and timely hitting. Thomas Turner held the Tropics to a run on five hits and a walk as he won his 6th game of the season. The M’opes bullpen held the Trops hitless the rest of the way.
Phil Thompson gave up three runs on seven hits and three walks in 4.1 innings in his start for the Tropics. He struck out four batters as he falls to 0-2 with a 3.20 ERA. John Moore pitched for the 3rd time in the series and gave up two more runs to the Mad Popes. He allowed nine runs with seven of them earned in his three appearances. Chih Kuang took control for Hawaii allowing just two hits in three innings with three Ks.
Sacramento wins 5-1.
The Mad Popes win the series 3-1.
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