The Hawaii Tropics had a successful road trip going 8-5 with a couple of series sweeps. The Trops are now home for fifteen games beginning with a four game series versus the Portland Timbers.
Game 1- The Portland Timbers score all 10 of their runs in the fourth inning and stun the Tropic Faithful. An error by SP Zach Johnson led to 4 unearned runs. Johnson was cruising until the top of the fourth. He ended with 3 1/3 IP, 7 runs (6 earned) on 4 hits, 2 walks and 3 Ks.
DH Ernest McBride homered again in three at bats. He added a walk and is now hitting .271 with 16 homers and 43 RBI.
C Ron Shiplack was 2 for 5 (single, double) and scored 2 runs. Shiplack is hitting .340 with a homer and 9 ribbies.
3B Gary Allen was 1 for 2 (single) with a run, 2 RBI and walked 3 times. Allen is hitting .275 with 18 homers and 57 RBI.
Allen flashing the glove
Portland wins 10-6.
Game 2- This game came down to the battle of the bullpens as both starters were out by the bottom of the sixth. Portland had just a little more in the tank as they stifle the Hawaii Offense late.
After a good first start, SP Niccolo “Notorious” Destefani threw up a stinker. Destefani had a line of 3 IP, 6 runs, 9 hits, a walk and 4 Ks. He did allow 3 homers.
CF Doeke Soethout is playing with some nagging injuries but still was 3 for 5 (single, double, triple) scoring a run and driving in one.
2BJack “Junkyard” Nichols was 2 for 4 (2 doubles) with a run and 3 RBI.
Portland wins 8-7.
Game 3- The Hawaii Offense made it’s usual fourth game appearance as the lineup unleashed 12 runs on 15 hits. SP Alaric Wullenweber was good with 6 1/3 IP, 2 runs, 3 hits, a walk and 9 Ks. He improved to 7-6 with a 4.17 ERA.
1B Ernest McBride led the charge going 3 for 5 (single, double, homer) with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.
DH Ettienne LaFitte batted lead off and was 3 for 4 (2 singles, homer, walk) scoring 4 runs, drove in a run and stole his 16th base of the season.
3B Gary Allen was 2 for 5 (single, homer) with a run and 2 RBI.
RF Mike Campbell was 2 for 5 (2 singles) with a run scored and 2 RBI.
Campbell settles under a can o'corn
LF Jose “Quien es mas macho”Camacho was 2 for 5 (single, triple) with 2 runs and 2 RBI.
Hawaii wins 12-3.
Game 4- Portland SP Ghi-cheng Kum was excellent for the Lumberjacks. He had 8 IP, 2 runs, 7 hits, a walk and 4 K.
SP Jesus Gonzalez walked 4 batters and gave up 5 hits that resulted in 4 runs (3 earned0. He struck out 6 batters in 5 1/3 IP.
1B Ernest McBride homered again (1-4).
Portland wins 6-3 and talks the series 3-1.
The Tropics welcome the Twin City River Monsters to Diamond Head for a two game series.
Game 1- The Tropics Bullpen allows 6 runs in 3 innings, watching a 3 run lead erode into defeat. RP Maxime Manceau surrendered 4 runs on 3 hits and a walk in just 2/3 IP. Then to put the topping on that sundae, RP Norm McConnell allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings of work.
1B Ernest McBride was 2 for 3 (single, homer) scoring a run and driving in 2.
DH Ettiene LaFitte was 1 for 5 (solo homer).
Twin Cities wins 9-4.
Game 2- SP Zach Johnson was good for the first four innings of the game, but for the second consecutive time he gives up a crooked number and is chased. Johnson pitched 5 innings, allowed 4 runs on 11 hits, walked 1 and struck out 6.
1B Ernest McBride was 2 for 2 (double, homer, 2 walks) driving in 1 and scoring 1. His average is up to .290 with 20 homers and 52 RBI.
C Ron Shiplack was 2 for 4 (single, homer) with 1 run and an RBI.
LF Jose Camacho was 2 for 3 (double, homer) with a run an RBI.
Twin Cities wins 5-3 and sweeps the quick 2 game series.
In the post game news conference GM James Walker announced a change within the organization. He said, “We have parted ways with Bench Coach Khayyat bin Luqman. We have moved in a different direction and are currently in talks with his replacement. We are bringing in someone from outside the organization.”
