The Hawaii Tropics next host the Portland Lumberjacks for a four-game series at ‘Iolani Palace.
Game 1- The Lumberjacks score a run in the top of the 9th to tie the game then score two runs in the 12th. The Tropics began a rally in the bottom of the inning with a single by Thomas Kramer (3 for 6, run). After Katsumi Matsumoto flied out to center, Will Patterson (3 for 6, RBI) hit a double down the third baseline to put runners at second and third. Shafiq Zahir hit a lazy fly ball to left that was too shallow to score Kramer. Vicente Mendez stepped to the plate and dug into the box. He took the first pitch fo a ball then took a strike. He fouled off the next pitch to make it 1-2. He got a pitch a bit inside off the knuckles and hit a slow roller for a 6-3 game ending ground out.
Hawaii starter Elvin Hilliard struggled in his start going just 4.1 innings allowing three runs on seven hits and a couple of walks. He fanned six and had a no decision. Reliever John Moore took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits with a K in 2/3 of an inning. He falls to 4-3 with a 5.01 ERA.
Portland wins 6-4.
Game 2- The Lumberjacks offense hammered the Hawaii bullpen for nine runs to pull away with another win. Hawaii starter Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta had a typical rookie start throwing five innings allowing three runs on six hits. He walked none and struck out four but took the loss to fall to 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA. John Moore gave up two more runs in relief in 2/3 of an inning. Bill Phillips came on in next and allowed three runs on three hits win 1.1 innings. Utkan Gocek allowed four more runs on three hits and a walk while getting one out via the K.
Karunamaya Makarand was 2 for 4 with a walk, solo homer and scored two runs. Bob Chastain came on in the 7th to give Adam Backhouse a break. Chastain hit a three-run homer to close the gap temporarily to 8-4.
Portland wins 12-4.
Game 3- Hawaii seems to have different issues pop up at inopportune times. This time it was the strikeout. Hawaii hitters fanned 11 times in another loss and drew just two walks. Combined with just getting five hits the Trops scored just three runs. Carlos Sanchez hit a solo homer and Frank McMillan hit an RBI double for Hawaii.
Semih Gurani made the start for Hawaii throwing 48 pitches in 2.2 innings of work. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk with three Ks. Phil Thompson took the loss after 1.2 innings of relief. He allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk. He falls to 6-8 with a 4.04 ERA.
Portland wins 5-3.
Game 4- The Hawaii Tropics tie the game in the bottom of the 9th on a clutch, two-out double by Vicente Mendez that scored Karunamaya Makarand from first. Mendez was thrown out a third trying to stretch the double to a triple. In the top of the 12th, John Moor gave up a solo homer to put Portland up a run. He was relieved by Bill Phillips who looked to get an easy ground out at short, but Tommy Kramer uncharacteristically booted it to let Aires Penharanda on base. Penharanda is 36 years old, but he has great baserunning instincts. He stole second on a 2-0 count, so Phillips was given the intentional walk sign from the dugout. Pedro ‘Dragon’ Rosales singled to left that scored Penharanda with an insurance run that eventually wouldn’t be needed.
Vicente Mendez had a nice day at the plate going 4 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Will Patterson had a good series and was 2 for 5 with a triple and a two-run homer. Bob Chastain was 2 for 4 with a double and a ribbie.
Ricardo Tapia took the mound for Hawaii throwing 2.2 innings allowing two runs on three hits, two walks and struck out two batters. John Moore took his 2nd loss of the series allowing the go-ahead solo homer in 1.1 innings. He falls to 4-4 with a 5.28 ERA.
Portland wins 7-5.
The Lumberjacks sweep the four-game series.
GM Jim Walker said, “There were rumors that Kate Fiscus was in town. She was seen out with Backhouse at various nightclubs and restaurants. Maybe a hotel or two.”
Backhouse was 3 for 12 and played in just three out of the four games.
Backhouse was asked about the rumors swirling between him and Fiscus. He replied, “She was helping me with my schwing.”
