The Tropics begin the second half of the season with a four-game series against the Des Moines Kernels.
Game 1- Tropics pitching keeps the Kernels scoreless for seven innings before reliever Manny Ortiz gives up four runs in 1.2 innings. The Kernels lineup hit two homers and had five total hits off Ortiz as he takes the loss to fall to 4-5.
John Moore started the game with three hitless, scoreless innings. He walked four and struck out two in the no decision. Bill Ritz gave up just a hit in his two innings of relief of Moore with a walk and a K. Phil Thompson continued the nice scoreless streak with two clean innings against the Kernels.
The Tropics offense managed just a run on seven hits and five walks in the loss. CF Angelo Lucchesi drove in the Trops run on a triple (5) that scored Adhyapayana Mehta from second. Mehta was 2 for 3 on the day with a double (14) and stole a base (21).
Des Moines wins 4-1.
Game 2- The Tropics offense continues to falter as they get just three hits and work five walks against the Kernels staff. Felipe Hernandez, Thomas Kramer and Katsumi Matsumoto each had a hit for Hawaii.
Hitting Coach Alfredo ‘Savage’ Salazar said, “These guys had too much time off for the All Star break. They stink more than usual.”
Hawaii starter Gerardo Rea showed small improvement but still took his 13th loss of the season. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk in 3.2 innings. He struck out 3 batters as he falls to 1-13 with a 6.35 ERA.
Rea complained, “I hate the way they’re using me. I want to go deeper into games and not be limited.”
The Hawaii bullpen allowed a run in 5.1 innings and struck out six batters. Utkan Gocek led the way with 2.1 clean innings with two Ks.
Des Moines wins 3-0.
Game 3- The Trops jumped out to a quick three run lead in the 1st inning which was capped off by a Frank McMillan two-run homer (4).
In the top of the 2nd, Hawaii starter Bill Williams gave those runs back on two hits and two walks. He finished with two Ks in 1.2 innings pitched. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds took the loss after allowing a run on a solo homer with four Ks in three innings. He falls to 3-3 with a 1.81 ERA. Phil Thompson threw two scoreless innings allowing just a hit, walked one and struck out one.
Des Moines wins 5-3.
Game 4- The Hawaii offense comes alive in the 8th inning and scores five runs on three hits and four walks. The comeback falls short as the Kernels get the series sweep. Angelo Lucchesi led off the inning with a triple (6) then scored easily on a Tommy Kramer double (15). Russ McHaney walked before Mitch Wareham flew out to center for the 1st out of the inning. Rookie Felipe Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases which spurred the Kernels to make a pitching change. That didn’t help as Tomas Borges drew a walk that scored Kramer with the 2nd run of the inning. McMillan struck out swinging for the 2nd out which brought in pinch hitter Karunamaya Makarand. The 1st pitch to Makarand was a bit outside, enough outside to score McHaney with the 3rd run. Makarand then worked the count full before lining a ball just over the second baseman into right center for a single that scored Hernandez and Borges. Mehta drew a walk but the man that started the inning, Lucchesi, flew out to end the rally. Hawaii went down with a whimper in the 9th 1-2-3.
Elvin Hilliard struggled in his start allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks. He struck out three batters as he took the loss to fall to 6-8 with a 4.36 ERA. Bill Ritz gave up two runs on five hits and two walks with a K in two innings. Bill Phillips, Phil Thompson and Manny Ortiz combined for four innings allowing just three hits, walked a batter and struck out two.
Des Moines wins 7-5.
The Kernels sweep the four-game series.
GM Jim Walker said, “No matter how much you polish a turd, it’s still a turd.”
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