The Tropics finish up their homestand with a four-game series against the Twin Cities River Monsters at the Palace. Hawaii is 94-76 all-time versus the River Monsters and 30-25 since 2050 when GM Alan Ehlers returned to the BBA and revived the Twin Cities franchise.
GM Jim Walker said of Ehlers, “His knowledge of the game makes you overthink things and miss what he may do against your team. Great strategist.”
Hawaii catcher Frank McMillan had RBI singles in the 2nd and 4th innings and Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta combined with three relievers to allow the River Monsters two runs in the win. ‘Crawdad Me’ allowed both runs in 4.2 innings on five hits and a couple of walks. Bill Williams earned the win to go to 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA. He walked one and fanned two in 1.1 innings. Utkan Gocek made the save with 2.1 scoreless innings with two Ks.
Hawaii wins 4-2.
The River Monsters turn the tables on the Trops as they hold them to two runs and even the series 1-1 after a 4-2 win. Hawaii starter Manny Ortiz gave up four runs on six hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out four but falls to 6-4 with a 2.92 ERA. Reliever Juan Martinez was lights out as he fanned four batters in the final 2.1 innings.
Luis Estrada had an RBI double in the 1st inning and LF Vicente Mendez doubled in a run in the 2nd inning to produce Hawaii’s only runs.
Twin Cities wins 4-2.
The River Monsters chase Hawaii starter Semih Gurani after 55 pitches in 1.1 innings of work. He gave up five runs on seven hits with two homers. He struck out two batters but falls to 5-3 with a 2.09 ERA. The bullpen gave up just one hit the rest of the way to allow the offense to come back.
3B Mitch Wareham was 2 for 4 with a single, double, scored a run and drove in two. CF Angelo Lucchesi was 1 for 4 with a ribbie. Bob Chastain was 1 for 3 and scored two runs.
Twin Cities wins 5-3.
Hawaii starter Elvin Hilliard rides to the rescue with seven strong innings against the River Monsters to allow the Trops to get a series split. Hilliard allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk with four Ks as he improves to 8-3 with a 3.59 ERA. Phil Thompson relieved Hilliard and gave up a solo homer in two innings but held on to get his 4th save.
2B Adhyapayana Mehta led the team offensively going 2 for 3 with a single, double (11), scored a run, drove in two runs and stole a base (7). Carlos Sanchez was 1 for 4 with a two-run double (12) in the 1st inning. Rookie Julian Rivera drove in a run with a double (10) in the 7th inning to give his team the insurance run they would need.
Hawaii wins 4-3.
The River Monsters and Tropics split the four-game series.
Hawaii offense has cooled as of late which has made for some close games this month. They still lead the league in runs against with 276 and defensive efficiency by a slim margin .723 to Vancouver’s .721. Hawaii is 2nd to Nashville in starter ERA at 3.55 and 2nd to Long Beach in Bullpen Era at 3.07.
Pacific Division Standing as of June 11, 2058
Frick League Wildcard Standings
