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liberty-ca · 12-13-2025, 12:24 AM

Sacramento Prayers Update: June Opens with Series Win, Valadez Steps Up
By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (40-17) opened the month of June with a successful road trip, taking two of three games from the Washington Devils (21-36). The team overcame a heart-breaking extra-inning loss in the opener to bounce back with two straight dominant pitching performances, maintaining a 5.0 game lead in the AL West.

Road Trip Recap (2-1)

Pitching Staff: Workhorses Deliver

The starters who were showing fatigue at the end of May stepped up in a huge way on the road, securing the series win despite the opener being a tough loss.

Russ Gray (9-2, 2.01 ERA): The team's ace delivered on Thursday, earning his 9th win and continuing his phenomenal season. He pitched 8.1 innings, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits. He demonstrated impressive stamina, throwing 92 pitches and keeping his ERA barely above 2.00.
Bernardo Andretti (5-4, 3.47 ERA): Andretti was the Player of the Game in the finale, throwing a gem with 7.2 scoreless innings on Friday to improve his record to 5-4.
Fernando Salazar (4-4, 2.61 ERA): Salazar pitched valiantly in the opener, going 8.2 innings and holding the Devils to 4 runs. Unfortunately, the bullpen faltered. Luis Prieto took his 4th loss, giving up the walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning, slightly raising his ERA to 4.01. He quickly rebounded to grab his 19th save in the finale.

Offense: Valadez Steps Into the Spotlight

With Musco and Murguia out, the Prayers needed new players to step into run-production roles, and Andres Valadez (.242 AVG) answered the call.

Andres Valadez had a breakout day on Thursday, hitting his 5th home run and driving in 3 RBIs to power the 7-3 victory. He now has 18 RBIs on the season.
Alex Velasquez (.272 AVG) continues to be the most reliable slugger, hitting his 10th home run (tied for the team lead) in the June 1st loss, raising his team-leading RBI total to 36.
Bret Perez (.300 AVG) had another strong series, recording his 20th stolen base on Thursday, further solidifying his status as a multi-tool threat.
The Prayers did struggle with consistency, going only 6-for-36 with runners in scoring position in the final two games. The loss of Musco and Murguia in the middle of the order is clearly taking its toll.

Key Lineup Adjustments

The lineup continues to be fluid due to the injuries:

Bret Perez has shifted from DH to the shortstop and second base positions to cover for injured players, while Luis Martinez saw time at third base.
Francisco Hernandez and Camden Liston are now receiving regular playing time in the outfield as they attempt to replace Murguia's production.

Upcoming Home Series

The Prayers return home for a three-game series against the Tucson Cherubs (25-29), another lower-tier opponent, to round out the first week of June. This will be a critical series for generating offensive rhythm and giving the exhausted aces some much-needed rest.

Saturday, 6/4: Jordan Rubalcava (9-2, 1.94 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Tucson's RHP M. Bradford.
Sunday, 6/5: Fernando Salazar (4-4, 2.61 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against RHP J. Segura.

12-13-2025, 12:24 AM	#42
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 453	Sacramento Prayers Update: June Opens with Series Win, Valadez Steps Up By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle The Sacramento Prayers (40-17) opened the month of June with a successful road trip, taking two of three games from the Washington Devils (21-36). The team overcame a heart-breaking extra-inning loss in the opener to bounce back with two straight dominant pitching performances, maintaining a 5.0 game lead in the AL West. *Road Trip Recap (2-1)* *Pitching Staff: Workhorses Deliver* The starters who were showing fatigue at the end of May stepped up in a huge way on the road, securing the series win despite the opener being a tough loss. Russ Gray (9-2, 2.01 ERA): The team's ace delivered on Thursday, earning his 9th win and continuing his phenomenal season. He pitched 8.1 innings, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits. He demonstrated impressive stamina, throwing 92 pitches and keeping his ERA barely above 2.00. Bernardo Andretti (5-4, 3.47 ERA): Andretti was the Player of the Game in the finale, throwing a gem with 7.2 scoreless innings on Friday to improve his record to 5-4. Fernando Salazar (4-4, 2.61 ERA): Salazar pitched valiantly in the opener, going 8.2 innings and holding the Devils to 4 runs. Unfortunately, the bullpen faltered. Luis Prieto took his 4th loss, giving up the walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning, slightly raising his ERA to 4.01. He quickly rebounded to grab his 19th save in the finale. *Offense: Valadez Steps Into the Spotlight* With Musco and Murguia out, the Prayers needed new players to step into run-production roles, and Andres Valadez (.242 AVG) answered the call. Andres Valadez had a breakout day on Thursday, hitting his 5th home run and driving in 3 RBIs to power the 7-3 victory. He now has 18 RBIs on the season. Alex Velasquez (.272 AVG) continues to be the most reliable slugger, hitting his 10th home run (tied for the team lead) in the June 1st loss, raising his team-leading RBI total to 36. Bret Perez (.300 AVG) had another strong series, recording his 20th stolen base on Thursday, further solidifying his status as a multi-tool threat. The Prayers did struggle with consistency, going only 6-for-36 with runners in scoring position in the final two games. The loss of Musco and Murguia in the middle of the order is clearly taking its toll. *Key Lineup Adjustments* The lineup continues to be fluid due to the injuries: Bret Perez has shifted from DH to the shortstop and second base positions to cover for injured players, while Luis Martinez saw time at third base. Francisco Hernandez and Camden Liston are now receiving regular playing time in the outfield as they attempt to replace Murguia's production. *Upcoming Home Series* The Prayers return home for a three-game series against the Tucson Cherubs (25-29), another lower-tier opponent, to round out the first week of June. This will be a critical series for generating offensive rhythm and giving the exhausted aces some much-needed rest. Saturday, 6/4: Jordan Rubalcava (9-2, 1.94 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Tucson's RHP M. Bradford. Sunday, 6/5: Fernando Salazar (4-4, 2.61 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against RHP J. Segura.