The Trops return home for an eight-game homestand beginning with a four-game series against the Vancouver Mounties. The Mounties and Trops are tied 5-5 head-to-head this season.
The Tropics lose slugging first baseman Luis Estrada to a fractured foot after being plunked in his first at bat of the game. The team was visibly shocked, and the air went out of the crowd in attendance. The Mounties took advantage and held the Trops to just a run on four hits as they took the series opener. SS Julian Rivera was 2 for 3 and doubled (25) and drove in the Tropics only run. He singled in Vincente Mendez in the third inning. Mendez was 1 for 3 with a stolen base (15) and scored a run.
John Moore pitched well but took the loss after throwing six innings and 84 pitches. He gave up three runs on six hits and a couple of walks while striking out four batters. He falls to 0-4 with a 3.99 ERA.
Vancouver wins 4-1.
The Tropics score eight runs before the Mounties respond for four late runs, but Hawaii survives to even the series 1-1. Gerardo Rea pitched 6.1 scoreless innings to get the win and improved to 6-8 with a 3.96 ERA. The bullpen tried to their hardest to lose this one but were unsuccessful. Manny Ortiz gave it his worse shot as he gave up two homers and three runs in his inning of work. Jorge Santos gave up just a run on 1.2 innings but gave up three hits while fanning two batters. The defense saved these two with a double play and Carlos Sanchez rifle throw from right to throw out a runner at the plate.
Julien Rivera has caught fire as of late and was 2 for 4 with a double (26) and a triple (5). He scored a run and drove in three runs to lead the offense. 1B Jake Diamond is in for the injured Luis Estrada and was 1 for 3 with a walk and a two-run homer (8).
Hawaii wins 8-4.
The Tropics play solid defense behind young starter Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta and get a nice win to take a 2-1 series lead. Crawdad threw 86 pitches in 5.1 innings allowing a run on just one hit and four walks. He fanned four as he improves to 8-11 with a 3.72 ERA.
Mitch Wareham hit a two-run homer (12) and Adhyapayana Mehta added another two-run blast (5) to lead the Hawaii offense. Vincente Mendez was 3 for 4 with a stolen base (16) and scored a run.
Hawaii wins 6-1.
Elvin Hilliard happened.
Vancouver wins 5-3.
The Tropics and Mounties split the four-games series.
