The Tropics make their last stop of the road trip in the Rose City for a three-game series against the Lumberjacks.
Game 1- The Tropics score five runs in the 4th inning and stave off the Lumberjacks late comaback attempts to win the series opener. The Trops send nine batters to the plate to score those five runs with the biggest hit coming off the bat of Shafiq Zahir. Zahir hit a bases loaded double (11) that scored two runs. Zahir was 1 for 5 on the day with a run scored and three RBI. Carlos Sanchez was 3 for 4 with a triple (3), scored two runs and drove in one. 3B Mitch Wareham was 3 for 5 with a double (25) and a solo homer (6). He cored two runs and had an RBI. CF Angelo Lucchesi was 2 for 4, two doubles (24) and two RBI.
On the mound, Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds made the start and pitched two innings allowing just a hit with a K whole throwing just 20 pitches. He gave way to Semih Gurani who earned the win after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits. He struck out three as he improves to 5-6 with a 3.44 ERA. Phil Thompson almost coughed up the lead giving up two runs on two solo homers in 2.2 innings of work. Juan Martinez gave up a solo homer but earned his 7th save of the season.
Hawaii wins 7-5.
Game 2- Trailing the Lumberjacks 5-4, the Tropics score three runs in the 8th and two more in the 9th to sprint past Portland for the win. Shafiq Zahir is playing with his hair on fire for a future contract with Hawaii or another team. He ignited the rally in the 8th by drawing a four-pitch walk. He stole second, moved to third on a single to left, then scored after two walks. Mitch Wareham knocked in a run with a single and the final run was driven in by a sac fly by Adhyapayana Mehta. In the 9th, Tomas Borges led off the inning with a single down the left field line. Zahir flied out for the 1st out then Carlos Sanchez grounded out 5-3. Borges was going on the pitch and easily took second to avoid the double play. Now with two outs, Vicente Mendez doubled to the left field corner to easily score Borges. Thomas Kramer doubled to left center on a 3-2 pitch that scored Mendez with the 9th Tropics run of the day.
Elvin Hilliard made the start going 4.1 innings allowing the Lumberjacks two runs on four hits, both solo homers. He walked one and struck out four. Chih Kuang earned the win with two scoreless innings. He gave up just a hit, walked one and struck out three as he improves to 6-2 with a 2.37 ERA. Bill Williams tried his hardest to give up the lead allowing three runs on three hits in 1.1 innings. Manny Ortiz earned the save with a clean 1.1 innings.
Hawaii wins 9-5.
Game 3- The Portland Lumberjacks salvage a win in the series as their offense hammered Hawaii starter John Moore. Moore allowed five runs on three hits and three walks with two Ks as he falls to 0-7 with a 6.57 ERA. Phil Thompson gave up a run on three hits with two Ks in 2.1 innings. Bill Phillips gave up two runs on three hits with a strikeout in two innings of relief. The Bills have been worthless this season.
Mehta was 3 for 5 with a triple (4) and scored a run. Vicente Mendez was 2 for 5 with a double (7) with a ribbie and stole a base. Russ McHaney was 1 for 4, scored a run and had an RBI. Zahir was 1 for 3 with a walk and drove in a run.
Portland wins 8-3.
Hawaii wins the series 2-1.
GM Jim Walker said, “Zahir thinks he’s getting an extension. He’s delusional. The guy has been awful for two seasons.”
- Unknown.jpeg (12.07 KiB) Viewed 2988 times
