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liberty-ca · 12-14-2025, 12:12 AM

COLUMBUS HEAVEN AT SACRAMENTO PRAYERS
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

June in Sacramento has followed a familiar rhythm: tight games, disciplined pitching, and just enough offense to let the Prayers dictate terms. Against a .500 Columbus Heaven club, that pattern held — even as the series briefly tested the margins that have made Sacramento baseball’s most consistent machine.

Game 1 — Tuesday, June 21
Prayers 3, Heaven 1

The streak lived because Jordan Rubalcava refused to let it die.

On a calm Tuesday night at Sacramento Stadium, Rubalcava delivered seven composed innings, scattering three hits and allowing a single run while working with the efficiency that has come to define his season. Columbus pushed only once — a sixth-inning double sequence — but never controlled the game.

The difference arrived quietly in the seventh. With the score tied and the crowd restless, Roberto Cardenas emerged from the bench and lined a two-run single, turning a stalemate into a statement. Sacramento’s bullpen did the rest, with Matt Wright locking down the ninth to preserve the Prayers’ 12th straight win.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t flashy. It was Sacramento baseball.

Game 2 — Wednesday, June 22
Heaven 6, Prayers 1

Every run streak ends somewhere.

Columbus starter Josh Schoedel bent but never broke, navigating traffic for over eight innings while holding Sacramento to a single run. The Heaven chipped away patiently, then broke things open late as Sacramento’s normally airtight pitching depth showed rare seams.

Fernando Salazar pitched well enough to win, but the Prayers’ defense faltered behind him, and Columbus capitalized on extra outs and late opportunities. Matt Troyer and Jim Roark supplied timely damage, and for one night, Sacramento looked human.

The loss snapped the streak, but it didn’t feel like a turning point — more a reminder that dominance still requires precision.

Game 3 — Thursday, June 23
Prayers 2, Heaven 1

If Wednesday was disruption, Thursday was restoration.

Francisco “Slicker” Hernandez authored the response: three doubles, a walk, two runs scored, and relentless pressure from the leadoff spot. He was everywhere — stretching singles into decisions, forcing throws, and setting the tempo the Prayers prefer.

Bernardo Andretti handled the middle innings with calm authority, and once Sacramento scratched out two runs, the formula snapped back into place. Vizcarra bridged. Wright finished. The door closed.

The finale carried a quiet cost — catcher Alex Mendoza exited after being hit by a pitch — but the larger message was unmistakable. Sacramento absorbed the stumble and immediately reasserted control.

Series Takeaway

This was not a sweep, but it felt like a reminder.

The Prayers didn’t overwhelm Columbus; they managed them. They lost once, adjusted immediately, and won the series behind pitching discipline and situational execution. Sacramento exited the set with a 9-game division lead, a refreshed sense of rhythm, and June continuing to bend in their direction.

For the rest of the league, the message stayed the same:

Beating the Prayers once is possible. Outlasting them still isn’t.

12-14-2025, 12:12 AM	#53
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 347	BNN Series Recap — June 21–23, 1988 COLUMBUS HEAVEN AT SACRAMENTO PRAYERS By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) June in Sacramento has followed a familiar rhythm: tight games, disciplined pitching, and just enough offense to let the Prayers dictate terms. Against a .500 Columbus Heaven club, that pattern held — even as the series briefly tested the margins that have made Sacramento baseball’s most consistent machine. Game 1 — Tuesday, June 21 Prayers 3, Heaven 1 The streak lived because Jordan Rubalcava refused to let it die. On a calm Tuesday night at Sacramento Stadium, Rubalcava delivered seven composed innings, scattering three hits and allowing a single run while working with the efficiency that has come to define his season. Columbus pushed only once — a sixth-inning double sequence — but never controlled the game. The difference arrived quietly in the seventh. With the score tied and the crowd restless, Roberto Cardenas emerged from the bench and lined a two-run single, turning a stalemate into a statement. Sacramento’s bullpen did the rest, with Matt Wright locking down the ninth to preserve the Prayers’ 12th straight win. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t flashy. It was Sacramento baseball. Game 2 — Wednesday, June 22 Heaven 6, Prayers 1 Every run streak ends somewhere. Columbus starter Josh Schoedel bent but never broke, navigating traffic for over eight innings while holding Sacramento to a single run. The Heaven chipped away patiently, then broke things open late as Sacramento’s normally airtight pitching depth showed rare seams. Fernando Salazar pitched well enough to win, but the Prayers’ defense faltered behind him, and Columbus capitalized on extra outs and late opportunities. Matt Troyer and Jim Roark supplied timely damage, and for one night, Sacramento looked human. The loss snapped the streak, but it didn’t feel like a turning point — more a reminder that dominance still requires precision. Game 3 — Thursday, June 23 Prayers 2, Heaven 1 If Wednesday was disruption, Thursday was restoration. Francisco “Slicker” Hernandez authored the response: three doubles, a walk, two runs scored, and relentless pressure from the leadoff spot. He was everywhere — stretching singles into decisions, forcing throws, and setting the tempo the Prayers prefer. Bernardo Andretti handled the middle innings with calm authority, and once Sacramento scratched out two runs, the formula snapped back into place. Vizcarra bridged. Wright finished. The door closed. The finale carried a quiet cost — catcher Alex Mendoza exited after being hit by a pitch — but the larger message was unmistakable. Sacramento absorbed the stumble and immediately reasserted control. Series Takeaway This was not a sweep, but it felt like a reminder. The Prayers didn’t overwhelm Columbus; they managed them. They lost once, adjusted immediately, and won the series behind pitching discipline and situational execution. Sacramento exited the set with a 9-game division lead, a refreshed sense of rhythm, and June continuing to bend in their direction. For the rest of the league, the message stayed the same: Beating the Prayers once is possible. Outlasting them still isn’t. Last edited by liberty-ca; 12-14-2025 at 12:14 AM.