The Tropics embark on an 8-game road trip making their first stop in Vancouver. They play a four-game series against the Mounties then continue you on to Valencia for four more games. The Mounties have a one game edge versus the Tropics with a 157-156 all-time record over Hawaii.
The Hawaii offense managed just four hits against Vancouver’s pitching as the Trops are shutout in the opener. Vincente Mendez doubled (22) while Carlos Sanchez, Katsumi Matsumoto and Felipe Hernandez singled.
Hawaii starter Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta was solid in this start but did give up two long balls. He allowed three runs on five hits, walked one and struck out two in seven innings of work. He took the loss to fall to 7-8 with a 3.87 ERA. Chih Kuang gave up a hit in the 8th but wiggled out of the inning on just 11 pitches.
Vancouver wins 3-0.
The Tropics get a two-run homer (17) by Frank McMillan in the 7th to tie the game then get a solo homer off the bat of Jake Diamond to take the lead in the top of the 9th. The Mounties get a two out double in the bottom of the 9th but the runner was stranded by a Ramon Moreno 6-3 groundout.
Elvin Hilliard gave up three runs to the Mounties in 6.1 innings in a no decision. Luis Perez pitched two scoreless innings and earned the win to improve to 8-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Phil Thompson earned his 7th save getting the final two outs.
Hawaii wins 4-3.
The Trops blast three homers off Vancouver starter Reese Newsome but fall short as the Mounties win 5-3. Jake Diamond hit his 7th in the 2nd inning, Frank McMillan hit his 18th in the 4th inning and Bob Chastain hit his 1st of the season in the 2nd.
Hawaii starter Semih Gurani was roughed up for four runs on eight hits and a walk in five innings while fanning eight batters. He falls to 9-5 with a 2.57 ERA.
Vancouver wins 5-3.
The Trops escape with a series split with the Mounties after a clutch two RBI single by Mitch Wareham puts Hawaii up. Felipe Hernandez had tied the game in the 6th on an RBI single.
The Mounties had their best chance to rally in the bottom of the 8th after a walk and a single put runners on first and second with one out. But reliever Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds induced two groundball fielder’s choices to escape without any damage. He then set the Mounties down 1-2-3 in the 9th to secure the win.
Reynolds said, “That’s what I love to do. Come in and get the tough outs and get us some wins.”
He made a winner out of fellow reliever Utkan Gocek who had pitched 2.1 scoreless innings giving up a hit, a walk and striking out three batters. He improves to 5-5 with a 2.79 ERA.
Hawaii wins 3-1.
The Trops and Mounties split the four-game series.
Pacific Division Standings as of August 8, 2058
