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liberty-ca · 12-29-2025, 02:54 PM

BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 7–9, 1989
MILWAUKEE EDGES SACRAMENTO AS PITCHING DUELS GIVE WAY TO SUNDAY SWING

Bishops Cool Down Prayers in Milwaukee; Sacramento Drops First Series of 1989
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

MILWAUKEE — After a scorching 6-1 start to the season, the Sacramento Prayers found the cold weather in Milwaukee a bit harder to navigate. Milwaukee Bishops claimed the series by winning two of three, handing the Sacramento Prayers their first road setback of the young 1989 season. While Prayers remain atop the standings, the weekend was marred by a significant injury to the starting rotation and a rare off-night for the team’s ace.

★ ★ ★

Game 1 — Friday, April 7

Bishops 3, Prayers 2

The series opener was a frustrating affair for Sacramento. First game on Friday can be described as an offensive stagnation in a narrow loss.

Despite a solid effort from the pitching staff, the Prayers’ bats managed only two hits the entire game — both singles by Bret Perez. A two-run first inning — punctuated by Chris Butkiewicz’s two-run homer off Bernardo Andretti — set the tone, and Bob Alana did the rest. The right-hander limited Sacramento to two hits over seven innings, striking out six and keeping the Prayers off balance all night.

Sacramento scratched back with single runs in the fifth and sixth, but never found a tying hit. Willie Gutierrez closed it out for his third save, preserving Milwaukee’s narrow win.

“I was born for the big stage,” Alana, all smiles, told the Milwaukee Times afterward.

★ ★ ★

Game 2 — Saturday, April 8

Prayers 2, Bishops 0

Saturday night swung entirely on pitching. Sacramento bounced back on Saturday with a 2-0 victory, but the win came at a high price. Starting pitcher Russ Gray was forced to leave the game in the 3rd inning due to an injury. The bullpen, however, rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. Aaron Gilbert took over and threw 3.2 innings of no-hit ball, striking out five to earn the win. From there Sacramento pieced together a four-man shutout: Alex Gilbert steadied the middle innings with 3⅔ scoreless frames, Mike Wright bridged to the ninth, and Luis Prieto nailed down his fourth save.

The offense did just enough - veteran Eli Murguia, the team's most reliable run-producer, and Eric Musco delivered consecutive two-out RBI singles, accounting for both runs in the game.

Milwaukee starter Ozzie Aguilar was strong in defeat, allowing just two runs over seven innings.

“Scoring was at a premium tonight,” Murguia said — and everyone knew it.

★ ★ ★

Game 3 — Sunday, April 9

Bishops 6, Prayers 2

Sunday broke the balance.

The Prayers looked to Jordan Rubalcava to clinch the series on Sunday, but the right-hander finally looked human after his historic start to the season. Rubalcava surrendered six earned runs and two home runs over seven innings, struggling to find his rhythm against a disciplined Milwaukee lineup.

On the other side of the mound, Milwaukee’s Jimmy Burge was a force of nature. Burge pitched a complete game on 109 pitches, allowing just five hits and two runs while silencing the Sacramento dugout, while issuing no walks and striking out six. Sacramento managed only two runs — one in the first, one in the fourth — before Burge settled in and erased any comeback hopes.

Milwaukee’s offense struck decisively in the middle innings. A three-run fourth — highlighted by home runs from Joey Romero and Joe Pereira — cracked the game open and handed Jordan Rubalcava his first loss of the season.

“Nice win for us,” Burge said. “Now we’ll go after the next one.”

The Prayers’ only highlights came from Bret Perez and Edwin Musco, who both showed speed on the basepaths with stolen bases, but the team ultimately fell 6-2.

★ ★ ★

The Training Room Report

The biggest story following the Milwaukee trip is the status of SP Russ Gray. After losing Francisco Hernandez and Bret Perez to minor scares in San Jose, the loss of Gray to an in-game injury on Saturday leaves a massive hole in a rotation that had been the best in the league through the first week. The team is expected to provide an update on his availability before the next series.

★ ★ ★

THE VERDICT

Eli Murguia continues to be a professional at-bat, recording RBIs or sacrifice flies in nearly every contest this week. Despite the loss of a starter, the relief corps — led by Aaron Gilbert and Matt Wright — kept Sacramento competitive throughout the weekend.

Sacramento won one pitching duel, lost two, and struggled to sustain offense against starters who dictated tempo. Milwaukee earned the series by finishing games, limiting damage, and delivering decisive swings when chances appeared.

Early April. Cold air. Honest baseball. Milwaukee took it.

12-29-2025, 02:54 PM	#114
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 356	BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 7–9, 1989 MILWAUKEE EDGES SACRAMENTO AS PITCHING DUELS GIVE WAY TO SUNDAY SWING Bishops Cool Down Prayers in Milwaukee; Sacramento Drops First Series of 1989 By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle MILWAUKEE — After a scorching 6-1 start to the season, the Sacramento Prayers found the cold weather in Milwaukee a bit harder to navigate. Milwaukee Bishops claimed the series by winning two of three, handing the Sacramento Prayers their first road setback of the young 1989 season. While Prayers remain atop the standings, the weekend was marred by a significant injury to the starting rotation and a rare off-night for the team’s ace. ★ ★ ★ Game 1 — Friday, April 7 Bishops 3, Prayers 2 The series opener was a frustrating affair for Sacramento. First game on Friday can be described as an offensive stagnation in a narrow loss. Despite a solid effort from the pitching staff, the Prayers’ bats managed only two hits the entire game — both singles by Bret Perez. A two-run first inning — punctuated by Chris Butkiewicz’s two-run homer off Bernardo Andretti — set the tone, and Bob Alana did the rest. The right-hander limited Sacramento to two hits over seven innings, striking out six and keeping the Prayers off balance all night. Sacramento scratched back with single runs in the fifth and sixth, but never found a tying hit. Willie Gutierrez closed it out for his third save, preserving Milwaukee’s narrow win. “I was born for the big stage,” Alana, all smiles, told the Milwaukee Times afterward. ★ ★ ★ Game 2 — Saturday, April 8 Prayers 2, Bishops 0 Saturday night swung entirely on pitching. Sacramento bounced back on Saturday with a 2-0 victory, but the win came at a high price. Starting pitcher Russ Gray was forced to leave the game in the 3rd inning due to an injury. The bullpen, however, rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. Aaron Gilbert took over and threw 3.2 innings of no-hit ball, striking out five to earn the win. From there Sacramento pieced together a four-man shutout: Alex Gilbert steadied the middle innings with 3⅔ scoreless frames, Mike Wright bridged to the ninth, and Luis Prieto nailed down his fourth save. The offense did just enough - veteran Eli Murguia, the team's most reliable run-producer, and Eric Musco delivered consecutive two-out RBI singles, accounting for both runs in the game. Milwaukee starter Ozzie Aguilar was strong in defeat, allowing just two runs over seven innings. “Scoring was at a premium tonight,” Murguia said — and everyone knew it. ★ ★ ★ Game 3 — Sunday, April 9 Bishops 6, Prayers 2 Sunday broke the balance. The Prayers looked to Jordan Rubalcava to clinch the series on Sunday, but the right-hander finally looked human after his historic start to the season. Rubalcava surrendered six earned runs and two home runs over seven innings, struggling to find his rhythm against a disciplined Milwaukee lineup. On the other side of the mound, Milwaukee’s Jimmy Burge was a force of nature. Burge pitched a complete game on 109 pitches, allowing just five hits and two runs while silencing the Sacramento dugout, while issuing no walks and striking out six. Sacramento managed only two runs — one in the first, one in the fourth — before Burge settled in and erased any comeback hopes. Milwaukee’s offense struck decisively in the middle innings. A three-run fourth — highlighted by home runs from Joey Romero and Joe Pereira — cracked the game open and handed Jordan Rubalcava his first loss of the season. “Nice win for us,” Burge said. “Now we’ll go after the next one.” The Prayers’ only highlights came from Bret Perez and Edwin Musco, who both showed speed on the basepaths with stolen bases, but the team ultimately fell 6-2. ★ ★ ★ The Training Room Report The biggest story following the Milwaukee trip is the status of SP Russ Gray. After losing Francisco Hernandez and Bret Perez to minor scares in San Jose, the loss of Gray to an in-game injury on Saturday leaves a massive hole in a rotation that had been the best in the league through the first week. The team is expected to provide an update on his availability before the next series. ★ ★ ★ THE VERDICT Eli Murguia continues to be a professional at-bat, recording RBIs or sacrifice flies in nearly every contest this week. Despite the loss of a starter, the relief corps — led by Aaron Gilbert and Matt Wright — kept Sacramento competitive throughout the weekend. Sacramento won one pitching duel, lost two, and struggled to sustain offense against starters who dictated tempo. Milwaukee earned the series by finishing games, limiting damage, and delivering decisive swings when chances appeared. Early April. Cold air. Honest baseball. Milwaukee took it. Last edited by liberty-ca; 12-29-2025 at 02:55 PM.