The Tropics visit the Bikini Atoll for a three-game series against the Krill. All Hawaii Tropics employees have been issued a Nuclear Radiation Decon Card and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for their stay in Bikini.
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Game 1- The Tropics lose a heartbreaker to the Krill after an error by 1B Tomas Borges costs the his team two unearned runs. That error led to starter Phil Thompson to taking the loss after 3.2 innings of work. He allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits with one K as he falls to 4-4 with a 3.02 ERA.
The bullpen was solid in relief beginning with Utkan Gocek throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while issuing just one walk. Juan Martinez pitched a scoreless inning and gave up just one hit. Semih Gurani pitched a hitless, scoreless inning to keep the team in the game.
On offense, Hawaii scored a single run on a n RBI single by RF Carlos Sanchez that scored Tomas Borges. Sanchez was 1 for 3 and Borges was 1 for 4 at the plate.
Bikini wins 3-2.
Game 2- The Tropics blow two chances to score runs as the Krill pitching staff get the job done in a pitcher’s duel. Hawaii blew their 1st scoring chance in the top of the 2nd inning after a single by Carlos Sanchez then a sac bunt that was played into a single by Angelo Lucchesi. After a slow roller to second moved the runners to second and third, Thomas Kramer hit an easy grounder for out #2 as Sanchez had to stay at third. Then, C Katsumi Matsumoto swung at the 1st pitch he saw and hit an easy fly to left to end the inning.
The Tropics were now facing a one-run deficit as John Moore gave up a solo homer in the bottom of the 2nd. In the 3rd, Mitch Wareham took a pitch off his shoulder to get on base. Adhyapayana Mehta followed up with a single to put runners at first and second with no outs. Russ McHaney stepped into the box and popped up in the infield, Tomas Borges flew out to left and finally, Carlos Sanchez grounded out 4-3.
John Moore was the hard luck loser for Hawaii as he threw 67 pitches in five innings or work. He allowed two hits, a walk, a run and struck out three batters. He falls to 0-4 with a 5.33 ERA. Luis Perez pitched two scoreless innings allowing two hits with a K. Juan Martinez threw another scoreless innings against the Krill this series.
Bikini wins 1-0.
Game 3- The Krill tie the game with the Trops with a run off Semih Gurani in the bottom of the 9th on a solo homer to send the game ti extras. In the top of the 12th, Angelo Lucchesi put Hawaii up 3-1 with a two-run triple that scored Russ Haney and Mehta. Juan Martinez walked the tightrope in the bottom of the inning as he allowed a lead off triple but worked out of it with a K and two fly outs to earn the save.
Lucchesi was 3 for 5 with a triple (8) and three RBI. Mehta was 2 for 6 and scored a run. Carlos Sanchez was 0 for 2 with three walks, a stolen base (3) and scored a run.
Gerardo Rea made the start for Hawaii pitching 4.1 innings giving up just three hits with five Ks in the no decision. Bill Williams followed that with 2.2 scoreless innings giving up just a hit with two Ks. Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds earned the win after two solid innings in extras. He gave up a hit as he improves to 4-3 with a 2.14 ERA.
Hawaii wins 3-1.
The Krill win the series 2-1.
Hawaii finished the month 12-14 and a .461 win% after an April .333 win%, May .428 win% and June’s .259. With Rich Kerr’s pitching strategy limiting starters innings and pitches the Trops won more games. The ‘starters’ were horrible with Elvin Hilliard making six starts, pitching 24 innings to a 6.75 ERA. His FIP was 6.195 and he had a -1.04 WPA. Gurani, Rea, Williams and Manny Ortiz all were the bottom of the barrel.
The bullpen seemed to be the pitchers that benefitted from the strategy with Phil Thompson leading the way going 4-1 in 9 games and making 2 starts. He pitched 22.2 innings and posted a 1.191 ERA, 3.681 FIP and a 0.65 WPA.
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