The Tropics load up their corporate jet and travel to Chicago to play a four-game series against the Black Sox. The Sox lead the season series 3-1 and the all-time series 82-75 but the Trops are 6-3 vs Chicago in the playoffs.
The Trops play in their 5th extra inning game in the last 13 games and fall to the Black Sox in the 13th. Hawaii led the Black Sox 6-2 going into the bottom of the 9th but reliever Phil Thompson had an epic meltdown as Chicago scored four runs to tie it up. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds keep the Black Sox lineup in check for 2.1 innings before handing the game over to Juan Martinez. Martinez pitched a scoreless 12th but gave up a two-run walk off homer to take the loss. He falls to 0-2 with a 2.63 ERA.
Julian Rivera was 2 for 5 with a solo homer (3). He scored two runs and drove in two. Frank McMillan keeps chugging along going 2 for 5 with a solo homer (15) in the 4th inning. Quintin Trewartha has worked his way back to health but is struggling at the plate. He was 1 for 5 with a two-run homer (4) for the Trops in the 4th inning.
Chicago wins 8-6.
The Hawaii offense pumps out 14 hits but score just 2 runs as the Black Sox go up 2 games to none in the series. The game was close until Trops reliever Luis Perez gave up five runs on three hits and two walks while retiring just two batters to take the loss. He falls to 6-1 with a 3.49 ERA.
Vicente Mendez hit his 10th homer of the season with a solo shot in the 7th inning. Mitch Wareham doubled (19) in the 1st and scored on a Carlos Sanchez single.
Chicago wins 7-2.
The Tropics ride three homers to victory to stop the bleeding and get back into the series. Vincente Mendez hit his 11th homer in the 1st, Luis Estrada hit his 23rd with a solo blast in the 4th and Carlos Sanchez hit his 14th with a two-run shot in the 6th inning. Estrada took Player of the Game honors going 2 for 4 with a homer, double (21), two RBI and two runs scored.
Manny Ortiz worked the 4.1 innings for the Trops allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while fanning six batters. Bill Williams earned the win after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. He gave up a hit, walked one and struck out one as he improves to 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA.
Hawaii wins 6-3.
Hawaii starter Semih Gurani and two relievers combine to shut out the Chicago Black Sox to earn a series split. Gurani gave up just three hits, walked one and struck out two as he improves to 9-4 with a 2.34 ERA. Utkan Gocek pitched two scoreless with four Ks then Chih Kuang followed with two scoreless with two Ks.
Sanchez was 1 for 4 with an RBI and scored a run. Bob Chastain was 3 for 4 with a two run double (6) and scored a run. Jake Diamond was 2 for 3 with three RBI.
Hawaii wins 6-0.
The Trops and Sox split the four-game series.
Pacific Division Standings as of July 26, 2058
