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liberty-ca · 12-29-2025, 09:36 PM

BNN SERIES RECAP – APRIL 14–16, 1989
PRAYERS TAKE TUCSON SERIES, STUMBLE IN EXTRA-INNING FINALE
By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle, Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and C.O.Pilot

The Sacramento Prayers continued their torrid start to the 1989 season, taking two of three from the Tucson Cherubs in a homestand that showcased the club’s depth, power, and starting rotation — even as a tense, extra‑inning finale served as a reminder that margins are thin in April. Sacramento leaves the series at 12–4, still perched atop the American League early standings.

★ ★ ★

Friday — Prayers 11, Cherubs 3

Strauss, Hernandez Spark Rout; Rubalcava Works Deep

The weekend opened as a showcase for Sacramento’s offense and speed. Sam Strauss delivered the big blow — a three‑run homer in the fifth — finishing 2‑for‑4 with four RBIs and earning Player of the Game honors. But it was Francisco Hernandez who made history, legging out two triples to tie a Sacramento regular‑season record and ignite a 13‑hit attack that turned a close game into a rout.

On the mound, Jordan Rubalcava battled through a long outing, throwing 6.2 innings (118 pitches) and stranding traffic to pick up the win. The Prayers’ combination of situational hitting and aggressive baserunning set the tone for the series.

“It was a good night for them and a bad night for us,” Tucson manager Russ Barrett said after the game.

★ ★ ★

Saturday — Prayers 7, Cherubs 1

Gray Dominant; Big Second Inning Decides It

In damp conditions, Russ Gray answered any lingering questions about his health with a vintage performance. Gray scattered four hits over 8.1 innings, carrying a shutout into the eighth and finishing with a composed, efficient outing that kept Tucson off balance.

Sacramento provided early separation with a six‑run second inning. Eli Murguia cleared the bases with a bases‑loaded double and finished with three RBIs, while Alex Velasquez added a solo homer to right‑center. Gray credited the club’s “focus and intensity,” but it was his command that dictated the game from the first pitch.

★ ★ ★

Sunday — Cherubs 3, Prayers 2 (11 innings)

Extra‑Inning Heartbreak After Missed Chances

The finale was a classic pitchers’ duel that slipped away from Sacramento in the late innings. Robby Larson was sensational, matching zeroes through eight innings and allowing just two runs while keeping Tucson’s lineup uncomfortable. Yet the Prayers repeatedly left runs on the field — 10 runners stranded over the afternoon, many in scoring position.

Sacramento’s offense showed flashes — Hernandez homered in the second and Jose Rubbi nearly ended it with a pinch‑hit double in the eighth — but the decisive moment came in the 11th. Virgile Perfelti lined a run‑scoring single off Luis Prieto to break the deadlock and give Tucson the walk‑off win. Prieto, charged with the loss, had been solid earlier but the bullpen’s rare off day handed him his first defeat of the season.

“This kind of game is tough on the heart,” Barrett said, a sentiment Sacramento felt just as sharply.

★ ★ ★

Series Notes and Notebook

- Series result: Sacramento wins series 2–1; record improves to 12–4.
- Rotation strength: Rubalcava, Gray, and Larson combined to anchor the staff, with Sacramento starters surrendering just 6 earned runs over 23 innings across the three games.
- Offensive highlights: Francisco Hernandez tied a club record with two triples on Friday and added a solo homer on Sunday; Sam Strauss drove in 5 runs over the weekend and looks to be finding his stroke.
- Clutch concerns: The Prayers’ offense stranded 10 runners in Sunday’s loss, underscoring a tendency to leave runners in scoring position in tight games.
- Standout performances:
- Sam Strauss: three‑run homer, 4 RBIs (Friday).
- Francisco Hernandez: two triples (Friday), solo homer (Sunday).
- Russ Gray: 8.1 IP, four hits, one run (Saturday).
- Robby Larson: eight strong innings (Sunday).

★ ★ ★

Takeaways

- Power plus patience remains Sacramento’s calling card — they can score in bunches and manufacture runs on the bases.
- Rotation depth is the team’s backbone; when Gray and Rubalcava are on, the Prayers control games.
- Late‑game execution is the next area to tighten — the bullpen and situational hitting will be tested as the schedule ramps up.

Sacramento leaves the homestand with momentum intact and a league‑best record, but Sunday’s extra‑inning loss is a timely reminder: even the best clubs must finish what they start. The Prayers head into their next series with plenty to build on — and a few lessons to apply.

12-29-2025, 09:36 PM	#116
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 321	BNN SERIES RECAP – APRIL 14–16, 1989 PRAYERS TAKE TUCSON SERIES, STUMBLE IN EXTRA-INNING FINALE By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle, Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and C.O.Pilot The Sacramento Prayers continued their torrid start to the 1989 season, taking two of three from the Tucson Cherubs in a homestand that showcased the club’s depth, power, and starting rotation — even as a tense, extra‑inning finale served as a reminder that margins are thin in April. Sacramento leaves the series at 12–4, still perched atop the American League early standings. ★ ★ ★ Friday — Prayers 11, Cherubs 3 Strauss, Hernandez Spark Rout; Rubalcava Works Deep The weekend opened as a showcase for Sacramento’s offense and speed. Sam Strauss delivered the big blow — a three‑run homer in the fifth — finishing 2‑for‑4 with four RBIs and earning Player of the Game honors. But it was Francisco Hernandez who made history, legging out two triples to tie a Sacramento regular‑season record and ignite a 13‑hit attack that turned a close game into a rout. On the mound, Jordan Rubalcava battled through a long outing, throwing 6.2 innings (118 pitches) and stranding traffic to pick up the win. The Prayers’ combination of situational hitting and aggressive baserunning set the tone for the series. “It was a good night for them and a bad night for us,” Tucson manager Russ Barrett said after the game. ★ ★ ★ Saturday — Prayers 7, Cherubs 1 Gray Dominant; Big Second Inning Decides It In damp conditions, Russ Gray answered any lingering questions about his health with a vintage performance. Gray scattered four hits over 8.1 innings, carrying a shutout into the eighth and finishing with a composed, efficient outing that kept Tucson off balance. Sacramento provided early separation with a six‑run second inning. Eli Murguia cleared the bases with a bases‑loaded double and finished with three RBIs, while Alex Velasquez added a solo homer to right‑center. Gray credited the club’s “focus and intensity,” but it was his command that dictated the game from the first pitch. ★ ★ ★ Sunday — Cherubs 3, Prayers 2 (11 innings) Extra‑Inning Heartbreak After Missed Chances The finale was a classic pitchers’ duel that slipped away from Sacramento in the late innings. Robby Larson was sensational, matching zeroes through eight innings and allowing just two runs while keeping Tucson’s lineup uncomfortable. Yet the Prayers repeatedly left runs on the field — 10 runners stranded over the afternoon, many in scoring position. Sacramento’s offense showed flashes — Hernandez homered in the second and Jose Rubbi nearly ended it with a pinch‑hit double in the eighth — but the decisive moment came in the 11th. Virgile Perfelti lined a run‑scoring single off Luis Prieto to break the deadlock and give Tucson the walk‑off win. Prieto, charged with the loss, had been solid earlier but the bullpen’s rare off day handed him his first defeat of the season. “This kind of game is tough on the heart,” Barrett said, a sentiment Sacramento felt just as sharply. ★ ★ ★ Series Notes and Notebook - Series result: Sacramento wins series 2–1; record improves to 12–4. - Rotation strength: Rubalcava, Gray, and Larson combined to anchor the staff, with Sacramento starters surrendering just 6 earned runs over 23 innings across the three games. - Offensive highlights: Francisco Hernandez tied a club record with two triples on Friday and added a solo homer on Sunday; Sam Strauss drove in 5 runs over the weekend and looks to be finding his stroke. - Clutch concerns: The Prayers’ offense stranded 10 runners in Sunday’s loss, underscoring a tendency to leave runners in scoring position in tight games. - Standout performances: - Sam Strauss: three‑run homer, 4 RBIs (Friday). - Francisco Hernandez: two triples (Friday), solo homer (Sunday). - Russ Gray: 8.1 IP, four hits, one run (Saturday). - Robby Larson: eight strong innings (Sunday). ★ ★ ★ Takeaways - Power plus patience remains Sacramento’s calling card — they can score in bunches and manufacture runs on the bases. - Rotation depth is the team’s backbone; when Gray and Rubalcava are on, the Prayers control games. - Late‑game execution is the next area to tighten — the bullpen and situational hitting will be tested as the schedule ramps up. Sacramento leaves the homestand with momentum intact and a league‑best record, but Sunday’s extra‑inning loss is a timely reminder: even the best clubs must finish what they start. The Prayers head into their next series with plenty to build on — and a few lessons to apply.