The Trops make a quick trip to the mainland to play a four-game series against the Long Beach Surfers. The Surfers lead the all-time series 170-168 but trail the Tropics 4-2 in the season series.
The Tropics win the series opener as Semih Gurani and two relievers combine for a four-hit shutout of the Surfers. Guarani won his 10th of the season allowing just two hits in seven innings. Utkan Gocek earned his 4th hold with a solid 1.1 innings and Manny Ortiz recorded the final two outs.
Mitch Wareham earned the Player of the Game as he was 4 for 5 with his 11th homer of the season. He scored two runs and drove in three to power the offense. Felipe Hernandez added his 19th homer and Luis Estrada hit his 26th.
Hawaii wins 7-0.
Long Beach evens the series with an extra innings win over Hawaii. Trops reliever Bill Williams gave up the game winner on an RBI single by Randy ‘Big JR’ Stuard.
Hawaii starter John Moore went toe to toe with the Long Beach offense and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in 5.1 innings and keep the Trops close. LF Vincente Mendez drove in both the runs for the Tropics with a double (25) in the 7th inning.
Long Beach wins 3-2.
The Surfers walk the game off to go up 2-1 in the series and hand Utkan Gocke his 7th loss of the season. The loss continues the Hawaii slide out of playoff contention in extra innings and one-run defeats. Starter Gerardo Rea pitched 5.2 innings and gave up two runs on three hits and fanned seven in a no decision. Luis Estrada doubled (23) and hit a three-run bomb (27) in a 2 for 4 day at the plate.
Long Beach wins 5-4.
The Tropics manage just two hits all day as the Surfers win the series finale and the series. Mitch Wareham and Katsumi Matsumoto each had a single for Hawaii while every starter fanned at least one time against Long Beach pitching. Hawaii starter Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta slung 5.2 innings with 85 pitches allowing a run on three hits and a couple of walks but falls to 7-10.
Long Beach wins 1-0.
The Surfers win the series 3-1.
