The Hawaii Tropics make their first long road trip of the season beginning with a three-game series against the Vancouver Mounties.
Game 1- Vancouver starter Phil Cole had his knuckleball working against the Hawaii lineup. He needed 135 pitches to shutout the Tropics on just four hits. He walked two and struck out nine on the way to his third win of the season.
Karunamaya Makarand, Shafiq Zahir, Mitch Wareham and Thomas Kramer were the only Trops to get a hit against Cole.
Hawaii starter Gerardo Rea took his 3rd loss of the season but pitched better than he has all season. He pitched five innings allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks. He fanned six batters and lowers his ERA to 7.82. Semih Gurani was a bright spot with 1.1 scoreless innings and two Ks.
Vancouver wins 6-0.
Game 2- The Mounties blow open a scoreless tie with six runs in the 7th inning take another game from the slumping Tropics. Hawaii starter Elvin Hilliard was cruising along with six scoreless innings when disaster struck. He gave up two singles, walked one after an error and a three-run homer to chase him from the inning. Luis Perez allowed the two runners he inherited and one of his own in 1.1 innings of relief.
On offense, Makarand was 2 for 4 with an RBI single. Catcher Katsumi Matsumoto was 2 for 3 with a double and scored a run.
Vancouver wins 6-2.
Game 3- The Mounties put up six runs against Hawaii again while the Trops offense can’t get any footing as Vancouver sweeps the series. Karunamaya Makarand led the Hawaii offense with a 2 for 4 day at the plate. He doubled and hit a two-run homer. Mitch Wareham was 2 for 4 with an RBI and stole a base.
On the mound, Phil Thompson made the start and pitched 3.1 innings allowing two runs on five hits with two Ks. Semih Gurani followed with two innings of work allowing a run on three hits and two walks. Bill Phillips took the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in an inning. He struck out two as he falls to 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA. Juan Martinez let the Mounties add on to their lead as he gave up a run on two hits and a walk. He struck out two in 1.2 innings.
Vancouver wins 6-3.
The Mounties sweep the three-game series.
