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liberty-ca · 12-25-2025, 03:27 PM

BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 3 RECAP
SACRAMENTO PRAYERS AT LONG BEACH DIABLOS
Tuesday, October 18, 1988 — Diablos Park

Final: Sacramento 5, Long Beach 0
Sacramento leads series, 2–1
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

Salazar Turns Back Time, Prayers Seize Control

For nine innings Tuesday night, Fernando Salazar reminded everyone why his name still carries weight in October In a vintage performance that fans back home are already calling "The Miracle at the Coast," Salazar turned the Diablos' high-powered bats into toothpicks.

At 35 years old, with nearly two decades of wear on his right arm and a résumé already heavy with October chapters, Salazar delivered one of the defining performances of the 1988 World Series — a four-hit shutout that gave the Sacramento Prayers a 2–1 series lead and stunned a restless Diablos Park crowd into near silence.

No theatrics. No late drama. Just precision, pace, and patience.

Salazar struck out seven, walked two, induced two double plays, and never allowed a runner past second base after the fifth inning. Of the 31 batters he faced, only six reached base — and none came close to scoring.

“This wasn’t about velocity,” Salazar said afterward. “It was about getting ahead, making them uncomfortable, and letting the defense work. Nights like this, you just stay out of your own way.”

Gemmy caught up with fans at a packed watch party in Midtown just as Salazar induced the final groundout to Daniel Mele. The relief was palpable:

"After we lost Andretti and Garza to injuries in Game 2, I was terrified our bullpen would be cooked by the fifth inning tonight. Salazar didn't just save the game; he saved the whole staff. The man is a saint in a jersey."
— Marcus D., Oak Park

"Did you see Bret Perez? That double in the first set the tone, but that two-run blast in the seventh was the coffin nail. We aren't just here to participate; we're here to take the trophy back to the Capitol."
— Elena S., Roseville

★ ★ ★

EARLY PRESSURE, LATE SEPARATION

Sacramento wasted little time putting stress on Long Beach starter Dave Lopez. While Salazar provided the shield, the Prayers' bats provided the sword. The power came from the usual suspects.

In the first inning, Bret Perez doubled to open the game, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch, giving the Prayers an immediate 1–0 lead and forcing Long Beach to chase from the outset. The margin doubled in the third when Edwin Musco launched his fifth home run of the postseason, a 402-foot shot to right-center that made it 2–0 and continued Musco’s October surge (now 13 RBIs this postseason).

Lopez battled — striking out seven over 5.2 innings — but Sacramento consistently forced deep counts, drew three walks, and made him labor through 106 pitches before turning the game over to the bullpen.

“They didn’t let him breathe,” Diablos manager Frank Carrillo said. “Even when we got outs, they made us earn every one.”

★ ★ ★

THE SEVENTH-INNING DAGGER

The game broke open in the seventh.

After Logan Hicks walked and stole second, Perez delivered the defining blow — a two-run homer into the right-field seats off Efren Holter, extending the lead to 4–0 and draining what little momentum remained in the park.

Perez finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, raising his World Series average to a scorching .379.

“He’s seeing everything right now,” Jimmy Aces said. “When Bret’s locked in like that, the lineup lengthens fast.”

Sacramento tacked on an insurance run in the ninth on back-to-back doubles by Hector Iniguez and Logan Hicks, pushing the final margin to 5–0 — more than enough on a night ruled by Salazar.

★ ★ ★

SALAZAR IN COMMAND

What separated this start from a merely good one was how Salazar handled adversity.

* In the 2nd inning, he erased a leadoff single with a 4-6-3 double play.
* In the 5th, he stranded a walk without allowing a ball out of the infield.
* In the 8th, he induced a 1-4-3 double play to wipe away Long Beach’s last flicker of hope.

Salazar threw 75 strikes on 110 pitches, mixing cutters and two-seamers to keep the Diablos pounding the ball into the dirt. Long Beach managed just four total hits, none for extra bases.

"Salazar was good but he wasn't flawless," Long Beach manager Frank Carrillo said. "We had a few opportunities to make something happen and we didn't do it. Not to take anything away from Sacramento, but this is on us."

“Everything was down,” Montoya said. “When you hit his pitch, it’s on the ground. When you miss, it’s late.”

The outing lowered Salazar’s postseason ERA to 1.97, and earned him an easy Player of the Game nod.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Scouting Notebook

The Diablos looked frustrated. Manager Frank Carrillo credited Salazar but noted his team "didn't make things happen." That’s the Salazar effect — he makes a 19-win season look like an accident until you’re 0-for-4 against him.

The most important stat of the night isn't the five runs; it’s the zero in the Diablos' run column and the zero in the "Relievers Used" column for Sacramento. After the injury scares of the weekend, a complete-game shutout is exactly what the doctor ordered.

★ ★ ★

SERIES MOMENTUM SHIFTS

With two wins in three games — both coming by control rather than chaos — Sacramento has flipped the series narrative. After being tested in Games 1 and 2, the Prayers now hold both the series edge and the psychological upper hand.

“This wasn’t about one guy,” Aces said. “But when your veteran sets that tone, everyone follows.”

Game 4 looms Wednesday night at Diablos Park, with Long Beach facing urgency — and Sacramento riding the calm confidence that only comes when an old ace still knows exactly how to command October.

12-25-2025, 03:27 PM	#105
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 426	BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 3 RECAP SACRAMENTO PRAYERS AT LONG BEACH DIABLOS Tuesday, October 18, 1988 — Diablos Park Final: Sacramento 5, Long Beach 0 *Sacramento leads series, 2–1* By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle Salazar Turns Back Time, Prayers Seize Control For nine innings Tuesday night, Fernando Salazar reminded everyone why his name still carries weight in October In a vintage performance that fans back home are already calling "The Miracle at the Coast," Salazar turned the Diablos' high-powered bats into toothpicks. At 35 years old, with nearly two decades of wear on his right arm and a résumé already heavy with October chapters, Salazar delivered one of the defining performances of the 1988 World Series — a four-hit shutout that gave the Sacramento Prayers a 2–1 series lead and stunned a restless Diablos Park crowd into near silence. No theatrics. No late drama. Just precision, pace, and patience. Salazar struck out seven, walked two, induced two double plays, and never allowed a runner past second base after the fifth inning. Of the 31 batters he faced, only six reached base — and none came close to scoring. “This wasn’t about velocity,” Salazar said afterward. “It was about getting ahead, making them uncomfortable, and letting the defense work. Nights like this, you just stay out of your own way.” Gemmy caught up with fans at a packed watch party in Midtown just as Salazar induced the final groundout to Daniel Mele. The relief was palpable: "After we lost Andretti and Garza to injuries in Game 2, I was terrified our bullpen would be cooked by the fifth inning tonight. Salazar didn't just save the game; he saved the whole staff. The man is a saint in a jersey." — Marcus D., Oak Park "Did you see Bret Perez? That double in the first set the tone, but that two-run blast in the seventh was the coffin nail. We aren't just here to participate; we're here to take the trophy back to the Capitol." — Elena S., Roseville ★ ★ ★ EARLY PRESSURE, LATE SEPARATION Sacramento wasted little time putting stress on Long Beach starter Dave Lopez. While Salazar provided the shield, the Prayers' bats provided the sword. The power came from the usual suspects. In the first inning, Bret Perez doubled to open the game, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch, giving the Prayers an immediate 1–0 lead and forcing Long Beach to chase from the outset. The margin doubled in the third when Edwin Musco launched his fifth home run of the postseason, a 402-foot shot to right-center that made it 2–0 and continued Musco’s October surge (now 13 RBIs this postseason). Lopez battled — striking out seven over 5.2 innings — but Sacramento consistently forced deep counts, drew three walks, and made him labor through 106 pitches before turning the game over to the bullpen. “They didn’t let him breathe,” Diablos manager Frank Carrillo said. “Even when we got outs, they made us earn every one.” ★ ★ ★ THE SEVENTH-INNING DAGGER The game broke open in the seventh. After Logan Hicks walked and stole second, Perez delivered the defining blow — a two-run homer into the right-field seats off Efren Holter, extending the lead to 4–0 and draining what little momentum remained in the park. Perez finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, raising his World Series average to a scorching .379. “He’s seeing everything right now,” Jimmy Aces said. “When Bret’s locked in like that, the lineup lengthens fast.” Sacramento tacked on an insurance run in the ninth on back-to-back doubles by Hector Iniguez and Logan Hicks, pushing the final margin to 5–0 — more than enough on a night ruled by Salazar. ★ ★ ★ SALAZAR IN COMMAND What separated this start from a merely good one was how Salazar handled adversity. * In the 2nd inning, he erased a leadoff single with a 4-6-3 double play. * In the 5th, he stranded a walk without allowing a ball out of the infield. * In the 8th, he induced a 1-4-3 double play to wipe away Long Beach’s last flicker of hope. Salazar threw 75 strikes on 110 pitches, mixing cutters and two-seamers to keep the Diablos pounding the ball into the dirt. Long Beach managed just four total hits, none for extra bases. "Salazar was good but he wasn't flawless," Long Beach manager Frank Carrillo said. "We had a few opportunities to make something happen and we didn't do it. Not to take anything away from Sacramento, but this is on us." “Everything was down,” Montoya said. “When you hit his pitch, it’s on the ground. When you miss, it’s late.” The outing lowered Salazar’s postseason ERA to 1.97, and earned him an easy Player of the Game nod. ★ ★ ★ Gemmy’s Scouting Notebook The Diablos looked frustrated. Manager Frank Carrillo credited Salazar but noted his team "didn't make things happen." That’s the Salazar effect — he makes a 19-win season look like an accident until you’re 0-for-4 against him. The most important stat of the night isn't the five runs; it’s the zero in the Diablos' run column and the zero in the "Relievers Used" column for Sacramento. After the injury scares of the weekend, a complete-game shutout is exactly what the doctor ordered. ★ ★ ★ SERIES MOMENTUM SHIFTS With two wins in three games — both coming by control rather than chaos — Sacramento has flipped the series narrative. After being tested in Games 1 and 2, the Prayers now hold both the series edge and the psychological upper hand. “This wasn’t about one guy,” Aces said. “But when your veteran sets that tone, everyone follows.” Game 4 looms Wednesday night at Diablos Park, with Long Beach facing urgency — and Sacramento riding the calm confidence that only comes when an old ace still knows exactly how to command October. Last edited by liberty-ca; 12-25-2025 at 03:30 PM.