The Tropics return home for a three-game series against the Long Beach Surfers before taking an historic trip to Bikini using the ‘Come Together’ Door. Hawaii is 2-1 against the Surfers this season.
The Hawaii Tropics score three runs off Long Beach reliever Bill Young to stun the Surfers in the bottom of the 8th. Hawaii 3B Mitch Wareham began the rally with a lead off solo homer (3) to tie the game. Jake Diamond put the Trops up 3-2 with an RBI single that scored Angelo Lucchesi from second. Carlos Sanchez gave Hawaii some insurance with an RBI single scoring Luis Estrada. Chih Kuang recorded two outs in the top of the 9th but allowed a hit and walked a batter. Hawaii Manager Rich Kerr brought in Troy ‘Teddy Bear’ Reynolds to get the one out save. Kuang was the winner to improve to 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA. Gerardo Rea is beginning to look consistent on the mound after his struggles last season. He allowed two runs on five hits and a walk in six innings while striking out four. Hawaii wins 4-2.
Hawaii starter Utbah ‘Crawdad Me’ bin Muta was sharp in a 5-2 wins over the Surfers at ‘Iolani Palace. ‘Crawdad Me’ gave up just five hits and struck out three batters in seven innings as he earned the win to move to 3-4 with a 3.75 ERA. The Hawaii offense did the rest as they sprinted out to a 5-0 lead on three homers in two innings. Mitch Wareham homered again with a two-run blast (4) in the 3rd inning. Carlos Sanchez hit a solo shot (5) in the 4th and was 3 for 4 on the day. Rookie SS Julian Rivera hit his 1st career homer in the 4th and was 2 for 3 against the Surfers. Hawaii wins 5-2.
The Long Beach Surfers avoid the shutout after their pitching staff shut down the Tropics offense in the finale. The Tropics have one of the best defenses in the Frick League but they struggled in the field with LF Bob Chastain committed two faux pas. Chastain misplayed a flyball in the 3rd that resulted in no damage then looked up too soon on a single and booted the ball to turn a single into a two bagger. Of note, Long Beach RF Cinema Jones attempted to steal home off Hawaii reliever Phil Thompson but was thrown out on a strike. Hawaii 3B Felipe Hernandez was 1 for 3 with an RBI double that scored Gerald Mitchell with Hawaii’s only run of the day. Long Beach wins 4-1.
Hawaii wins the series 2-1.
The Hawaii Tropics make their 1st ‘trip’ through the ‘Come Together’ Door to the Bikini Atoll for a three-game series against the Krill. Hawaii us 2-1 against the Krill this season after three games against them in April.
Hawaii GM Jim Walker was asked why the change of heart on using Westy’s technology. Walker said, “Some of our players had concerns with its use but after they talked to some peers that used it, they changed their minds. It saves us some fuel money and keep the players fresh.”
The Tropics were well rested going through the ‘Door’ and it reflected in their play. Starter Semih Gurani and two relievers shut out the Krill on two hits and the offense scored 7 runs on 12 hits as the Trops take the series opener 7-0. Gurani allowed a hit and issued a walk in 5.2 innings while fanning eight batters as he improves to 3-2 with a 1.88 EA. Luis Perez pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with a walk and four Ks. Chih Kuang finished it off with another 1.2 scoreless innings. Mitch Wareham hit another homer (5) and was 3 for 5 with two runs scored. C Frank McMillan was 2 for 4 with a solo homer (3) and scored two runs. LF Vicente Mendez had a nice day at the plate going 3 for 5 with a solo homer (5) in the 9th.
The Trops fall behind the Bikini Krill 3-0 before Hawaii 3B Mitch Wareham wills them to a win with a four RBI day. Wareham was 3 for 5 with a two-run homer (6) in the 3rd inning and a two-run single in the 6th. Hawaii starter Elvin Hilliard struggled to open the game against the Krill allowing a two-run homer in the 1st and a run-scoring double in the 2nd. Frank McMillan kept him on task as he settled in and allowed nothing else. He finished with 5.1 innings pitched with three runs allowed on six hits and a walk. He fanned five batters and earned the win to move to 5-1 with a 4.15 ERA. The bullpen allowed the Krill just one hit the final 3.2 innings as the Trops win 5-3.
Hawaii’s Felipe Hernandez was put in the lineup as DH by Manager Rich Kerr, and he responded with a two-homer game to propel the Trops to a series sweep. He was 2 for 4 with a two-run blast (4) in the 1st and a solo homer (5) in the 8th. C Frank McMillan was 1 for 3 with a two-run homer (4) in the 7th. Vicente Mendez hit two doubles in four at bats and scored a run with an RBI. Gerardo Rea earned his 3rd win after six shutout innings of work. He gave up just four hits and fanned seven batters to lower his ERA 4.04. Hawaii wins 6-1.
Hawaii sweeps the series.
The Mad Popes remain atop the Pacific at 26-16 with the Hawaii Tropics one game back at 25-17. Vancouver and San Fernando are four games back at 22-20 while Long Beach sits alone in 4th at 21-21five games back. Valencia and Bikini sit at 20-22 just six back while Portland got off the schneid and is now 12-30 but 14 games back.
