The Tropics return home for a three-game series against the Sacramento Mad Popes. This season’s scheduling has this team spending more time in the air than on the field. Sacramento has a fantastic record against Hawaii this season going 10-3.
Game 1- Sacramento extends Hawaii’s most recent losing streak to four games with a win in the series opener. Carlos Valle allowed all four Mad Popes runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. He gave up ten hits, walked three and struck out just one in the loss. He falls to 8-10 with a 4.39 ERA. The bullpen did its part to keep Hawaii in the game beginning with Francisco Hernandez. Hernandez pitched 1 2/3 clean innings then Alberto Castaneda followed that up with two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed just a hit, walked one and struck out one.
The Hawaii offense could muster just two runs on seven hits and three walks while they struck out eight times. Adhyapayana Mehta was 2 for 3 with a run scored but left the game in the seventh inning with an injury. Thomas Kramer was 1 for 3 with a triple and a walk. He drove in two runs. Angelo Lucchesi was 1 for 3 with a triple, a walk and a run scored.
Tests done on second basemen Adhyapayana Mehta’s thumb reflected torn ligaments that will sideline him for the rest of the season. Mehta was having his best season, slashing .297/.342/.442 with 11 HR 58 RBI 40 doubles 4 triples 35 walks and 71 Ks. He also stole 30 bags and posted a 3.1 WAR for the season.
Sacramento wins 4-2.
Game 2- The Mad Popes got their ‘Camacho’ on as they batter the Tropics to take a 2-0 series lead. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds took another beating pitching 3 1/3 innings allowing seven runs on seven hits and a walk. Three of the seven hits were homers and he struck out just one batter. He falls to 6-10 with a 5.74 ERA. Terry Hansen took his licks allowing three runs on four hits and a couple of walks in his round. Sumitomo Takahashi went two rounds with Camacho’s boys giving up two runs on three hits and a walk. Francisco Hernandez pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk with three Ks.
Stewart Illingworth was 1 for 3 with a walk and a three-run homer. Rhys Brickell was 1 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI. Karunamaya Makarand was 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Ramao ‘Massacre’ Saturnino added a solo homer in his 1 for 3 day at the plate.
Sacramento wins 13-6.
Game 3- Hawaii starter Austin George was very good in this game but his offense failed him as the Mad Popes complete the series sweep. George threw seven shutout innings giving up just two hits and a walk with a K in a no decision. Alberto Castaneda took the loss to fall to 5-7 with a 3.20 ERA. He pitched two innings allowing two runs on three hits and a couple of walks. He also struck out a batter.
Hawaii managed just four hits with Makarand (1 for 3), Illingworth (1 for 1), Brickell (1 for 4) and Bart Henstock (1 for 3) not bringing the thunder.
Sacramento wins 2-0.
The Mad Popes sweep the three-game series.
