The Tropics return to Hawaii on a ten-game losing skid to play a three-game series against the Valencia Stars. The Trops are 4-10 with their ‘Kerr Special’ pitching strategy.
Game 1- The Trops lose the series opener to the Stars in an actual pitcher’s duel. Hawaii Manager Rich Kerr shuffled the rotation and gave the 1st start of the series to Chih Kuang.
“Kuang is a reliever with high stamina and has a nice fastball/slider combo. He can be good if he keeps the ball in the yard.”, explained Kerr.
Kuang did just that as he pitched five innings allowing just a run on four hits while fanning five batters. Even after that nice effort he took the loss to fall to 2-2 with a 2.21 ERA. John Moore worked out of the ‘pen and allowed a run on a hit and two walks in 1.2 innings of relief. Semih Gurani worked two scoreless innings allowing just a hit.
2B Adhyapayana Mehta was 2 for 4 and drove in Hawaii’s only run with a single in 8th that scored Katsumi Matsumoto from second. He was 1 for 2 with a walk at the plate.
Valencia wins 2-1.
Game 2- Hawaii rookie Felipe Hernandez ignited the Trops offense with two homers as the Tropics end the losing streak at 11. Hernandez was 3 for 5 with two solo blasts (6) and scored three runs. DH Russ McHaney made his presence felt going 2 for 4 with a Grand Slam in the 4th inning. CF Angelo Lucchesi joined the party going 1 for 3 with a two-run double (16) in the 7th inning.
On the mound, Hawaii threw another lefty to start the game. Phil Thompson threw 73 pitches in 5.2 innings allowing a run on four hits with four Ks. He earned the win to improve to 2-3 with a 3.02 ERA.
Kerr said, “Phil was in a groove, and I let him go a bit past the 65-pitch limit.”
That may have been wise by Kerr as Manny Ortiz was shaky in this appearance. He allowed two runs on two solo homers in 1.2 innings and 37 pitches. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds took control of the game throwing 1.2 scoreless innings with two Ks.
Hawaii wins 12-3.
Game 3- The Tropics score six runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning then hold on to take the rubber match and win the series. 1B Tomas Borges smashed Hawaii’s 2nd Grand Slam (22) of the series in the 2nd inning. He was 2 for 4 with 5 ribbies and scored a run. 3B Mitch Wareham was 2 for 3 with a walk, two stolen bases (13), an RBI and scored a run. Angelo Lucchesi was 1 for 3 with a walk, triple (7) and scored two runs.
Kerr started yet another lefty against the Stars and he chose Utkan Gocek to make the start. Gocke was shaky in four innings as he allowed three runs on four hits and a walk. Bill Williams looked overmatched on the mound as he allowed two runs on three hits with a K but eventually earned the win. He improved to 4-5 with a 6.44 ERA. John Moore gave Hawaii something that they needed with a scoreless inning. It was a little rocky, but he got the job done. Gerardo Rea earned the save as he actually looked comfortable out there. Rea pitched two scoreless innings giving up a hit, walked one and struck out two.
Hawaii wins 7-5.
The Tropics win the series 2-1.
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