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liberty-ca · 12-31-2025, 01:47 AM

BNN SERIES RECAP — MAY 8–10, 1989
Welcome Back, Bret: Prayers Take Two of Three in Philly
By Chad G. Petey and C.O.Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

PHILADELPHIA — Fresh off a dominant sweep in Washington, the Sacramento Prayers rolled into Philadelphia riding momentum, elite pitching, and the emotional weight of losing Eli Murguia for the season. The result was a 2–1 series win, powered once again by the rotation — but shadowed by an offense that continues to sputter without its star left fielder. While the sting of losing their star left fielder still lingers, the Sacramento Prayers (24-14) found a reason to smile again. That reason? The return of Bret Perez.

Fresh off the injured list, Perez wasted no time proving why he’s the engine of this offense, leading Sacramento to a gritty series win over the Padres. After missing a week with a bruised tailbone, Bret Perez returned to the lineup on Tuesday and looked like he hadn't missed a beat. He went 4-for-9 over the final two games, including a bases-clearing triple that broke Game 2 open. His presence at third base provides a much-needed stabilizer for a lineup currently mourning the loss of Murguia’s .310 average.

★ ★ ★

MONDAY, MAY 8 — PADRES 7, PRAYERS 3

Salazar Stumbles; Sacramento’s Early Lead Evaporates

The opening night set an uneasy tone early.

Fernando Salazar was tagged immediately, surrendering a leadoff homer to Nate Mudrow, and the Padres never allowed the game to settle after that. Sacramento answered briefly — Hector Iniguez launched a solo shot in the third, and the Prayers nudged ahead 3–1 — but the middle innings unraveled quickly.

Philadelphia flipped the game in the fourth. Rafael Alonzo’s two-run homer swung the score and the energy of the ballpark, and from there the Padres kept applying pressure. Tony Navarro, relentless all night, went 3-for-3 and seemed to materialize in every critical moment — a double here, a single there, a sacrifice fly when needed.

Salazar battled through six innings, but the damage was done. It wasn’t a collapse. It was a slow loss of command — of count, contact, and rhythm. By the final out, Sacramento was reminded that even good clubs can drift if they let innings linger. The bullpen didn’t help — Gil Caliari allowed two more runs, and the Padres cruised to a 7–3 win.

Sacramento fell to 22–14, and the loss underscored how much Murguia’s absence reshapes the lineup.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, MAY 9 — PRAYERS 6, PADRES 1

Gray Dominant; Perez Returns With a Statement

Tuesday belonged to Russ Gray. He delivered another ace‑level outing, tossing eight innings of four‑hit, one‑run ball to improve to 3–1 with a 1.33 ERA — the best mark in the rotation. After Monday’s frustration, Sacramento played with purpose — striking fast and refusing to give the Padres oxygen. Three runs in the first inning quieted the crowd, and when Philadelphia pushed across a run in the third, the Prayers answered immediately.

The defining moment came in the fourth. With two outs and two aboard, Bret Perez ripped a triple into the gap, clearing the bases and the tension with one swing. The dugout erupted. The game tilted decisively.

From there, Gray took over completely. He worked downhill, induced ground balls, and erased traffic without flourish. Philadelphia never mounted a real threat. The game slowed to Gray’s tempo — a luxury Sacramento gladly accepted after the opener.

“It felt like we were playing our game again,” Gray said afterward. They were — crisp, direct, and unsentimental.

The offense finally showed signs of life:

- Bret Perez, freshly activated from the IL after his infamous pizza‑parlor tailbone mishap, ripped a two‑run triple and added a single.
- Francisco Hernandez went 2‑for‑4 with an RBI.
- Alex Velasquez doubled home a run.
- Luis Martinez tripled and doubled, continuing a quiet but steady rebound.

Sacramento scored three in the first and three more in the fourth, then let Gray and Prieto slam the door.

It was the Prayers’ most complete win since Murguia’s injury.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 — PRAYERS 2, PADRES 1

Rubalcava Shines Again; Velasquez Delivers the Go‑Ahead Sac Fly

The finale was tense, quiet, and unforgiving.

For six innings, neither side broke through. Jordan Rubalcava continued his torrid stretch, navigating traffic without panic and firing eight innings of seven‑hit, one‑run ball to lower his ERA to 1.66, second‑best in the American League, while Philadelphia starter Mike Harris matched him pitch for pitch. Balls were put in play, chances surfaced — and died.

Philadelphia finally struck in the seventh, nudging ahead 1–0, and for a moment the Padres sensed a chance to steal the series. Sacramento answered the way disciplined teams do — without drama.

The offense was minimal but timely: in the eighth, Alex Velasquez lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Moments later, Luis Martinez delivered a two-out RBI single that flipped the score. No celebration. No rush. Just execution.

Luis Prieto, still regaining form after a rough stretch, worked a tense ninth locking down his 10th save as Philadelphia stranded runners and frustrations alike. The final out settled into a waiting glove — and with it, the series.

Sacramento improved to 24–14, taking the series and stabilizing after a rocky start to May.

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

1. The Rotation Is Carrying the Team

If you're a Padres hitter, you're probably glad the Prayers are leaving town. Sacramento’s "Twin Towers" of the rotation were virtually untouchable:

* Russ Gray (Game 2): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER. Gray’s ERA now sits at a microscopic 1.33.
* Jordan Rubalcava (Game 3): 8.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER. He lowered his ERA to 1.66.

When your two primary starters are sporting ERAs under 1.70 in mid-May, you’re going to win a lot of series—even when the bats are cold. Sacramento’s starters remain the best in the AL by a wide margin.

2. The Offense Is Surviving Without Murguia — Barely
In Philadelphia:

- 11 runs total
- Only one home run (Iniguez)
- Multiple innings with runners stranded
- Heavy reliance on Perez, Martinez, and Velasquez

The lineup is patchwork, and it shows.

3. Bret Perez’s Return Is Huge
After missing three weeks:

- 4‑for‑10 in the series
- 2‑run triple
- Stolen base
- Solid defense at third

His presence stabilizes the infield and lengthens the lineup.

4. Velasquez Is Becoming the New Clutch Bat
A sac fly to win Game 3
A double in Game 2
Quietly up to 17 RBI

5. Sacramento Leaves the Road Trip 5–1
A remarkable turnaround after the Murguia injury.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: Survival Mode is Working

The Prayers are playing "Sacramento Baseball" to perfection right now: elite starting pitching, a lockdown closer, and just enough offense to squeak by. While Luis Prieto made things interesting in the 9th on Wednesday (allowing two hits), he secured his 10th save, keeping Sacramento firmly atop the West.

One concern: the defense. Bret Perez committed two errors on Wednesday. We'll chalk that up to "tailbone rust," but against better teams, those mistakes will prove costly. For now, the Prayers are 10 games over .500 and heading home.

★ ★ ★

UP NEXT

The Prayers return home to host the El Paso Abbots for a three‑game set.

Projected rotation:

- Salazar
- Andretti
- Gray

The pitching is elite. The lineup is patchwork. The division lead is still razor‑thin.

12-31-2025, 01:47 AM	#124
liberty-ca Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 275	BNN SERIES RECAP — MAY 8–10, 1989 Welcome Back, Bret: Prayers Take Two of Three in Philly By Chad G. Petey and C.O.Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle PHILADELPHIA — Fresh off a dominant sweep in Washington, the Sacramento Prayers rolled into Philadelphia riding momentum, elite pitching, and the emotional weight of losing Eli Murguia for the season. The result was a 2–1 series win, powered once again by the rotation — but shadowed by an offense that continues to sputter without its star left fielder. While the sting of losing their star left fielder still lingers, the Sacramento Prayers (24-14) found a reason to smile again. That reason? The return of Bret Perez. Fresh off the injured list, Perez wasted no time proving why he’s the engine of this offense, leading Sacramento to a gritty series win over the Padres. After missing a week with a bruised tailbone, Bret Perez returned to the lineup on Tuesday and looked like he hadn't missed a beat. He went 4-for-9 over the final two games, including a bases-clearing triple that broke Game 2 open. His presence at third base provides a much-needed stabilizer for a lineup currently mourning the loss of Murguia’s .310 average. ★ ★ ★ MONDAY, MAY 8 — PADRES 7, PRAYERS 3 Salazar Stumbles; Sacramento’s Early Lead Evaporates The opening night set an uneasy tone early. Fernando Salazar was tagged immediately, surrendering a leadoff homer to Nate Mudrow, and the Padres never allowed the game to settle after that. Sacramento answered briefly — Hector Iniguez launched a solo shot in the third, and the Prayers nudged ahead 3–1 — but the middle innings unraveled quickly. Philadelphia flipped the game in the fourth. Rafael Alonzo’s two-run homer swung the score and the energy of the ballpark, and from there the Padres kept applying pressure. Tony Navarro, relentless all night, went 3-for-3 and seemed to materialize in every critical moment — a double here, a single there, a sacrifice fly when needed. Salazar battled through six innings, but the damage was done. It wasn’t a collapse. It was a slow loss of command — of count, contact, and rhythm. By the final out, Sacramento was reminded that even good clubs can drift if they let innings linger. The bullpen didn’t help — Gil Caliari allowed two more runs, and the Padres cruised to a 7–3 win. Sacramento fell to 22–14, and the loss underscored how much Murguia’s absence reshapes the lineup. ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, MAY 9 — PRAYERS 6, PADRES 1 Gray Dominant; Perez Returns With a Statement Tuesday belonged to Russ Gray. He delivered another ace‑level outing, tossing eight innings of four‑hit, one‑run ball to improve to 3–1 with a 1.33 ERA — the best mark in the rotation. After Monday’s frustration, Sacramento played with purpose — striking fast and refusing to give the Padres oxygen. Three runs in the first inning quieted the crowd, and when Philadelphia pushed across a run in the third, the Prayers answered immediately. The defining moment came in the fourth. With two outs and two aboard, Bret Perez ripped a triple into the gap, clearing the bases and the tension with one swing. The dugout erupted. The game tilted decisively. From there, Gray took over completely. He worked downhill, induced ground balls, and erased traffic without flourish. Philadelphia never mounted a real threat. The game slowed to Gray’s tempo — a luxury Sacramento gladly accepted after the opener. “It felt like we were playing our game again,” Gray said afterward. They were — crisp, direct, and unsentimental. The offense finally showed signs of life: - Bret Perez, freshly activated from the IL after his infamous pizza‑parlor tailbone mishap, ripped a two‑run triple and added a single. - Francisco Hernandez went 2‑for‑4 with an RBI. - Alex Velasquez doubled home a run. - Luis Martinez tripled and doubled, continuing a quiet but steady rebound. Sacramento scored three in the first and three more in the fourth, then let Gray and Prieto slam the door. It was the Prayers’ most complete win since Murguia’s injury. ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 — PRAYERS 2, PADRES 1 Rubalcava Shines Again; Velasquez Delivers the Go‑Ahead Sac Fly The finale was tense, quiet, and unforgiving. For six innings, neither side broke through. Jordan Rubalcava continued his torrid stretch, navigating traffic without panic and firing eight innings of seven‑hit, one‑run ball to lower his ERA to 1.66, second‑best in the American League, while Philadelphia starter Mike Harris matched him pitch for pitch. Balls were put in play, chances surfaced — and died. Philadelphia finally struck in the seventh, nudging ahead 1–0, and for a moment the Padres sensed a chance to steal the series. Sacramento answered the way disciplined teams do — without drama. The offense was minimal but timely: in the eighth, Alex Velasquez lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Moments later, Luis Martinez delivered a two-out RBI single that flipped the score. No celebration. No rush. Just execution. Luis Prieto, still regaining form after a rough stretch, worked a tense ninth locking down his 10th save as Philadelphia stranded runners and frustrations alike. The final out settled into a waiting glove — and with it, the series. Sacramento improved to 24–14, taking the series and stabilizing after a rocky start to May. ★ ★ ★ SERIES TAKEAWAYS 1. The Rotation Is Carrying the Team If you're a Padres hitter, you're probably glad the Prayers are leaving town. Sacramento’s "Twin Towers" of the rotation were virtually untouchable: * Russ Gray (Game 2): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER. Gray’s ERA now sits at a microscopic 1.33. * Jordan Rubalcava (Game 3): 8.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER. He lowered his ERA to 1.66. When your two primary starters are sporting ERAs under 1.70 in mid-May, you’re going to win a lot of series—even when the bats are cold. Sacramento’s starters remain the best in the AL by a wide margin. 2. The Offense Is Surviving Without Murguia — Barely In Philadelphia: - 11 runs total - Only one home run (Iniguez) - Multiple innings with runners stranded - Heavy reliance on Perez, Martinez, and Velasquez The lineup is patchwork, and it shows. 3. Bret Perez’s Return Is Huge After missing three weeks: - 4‑for‑10 in the series - 2‑run triple - Stolen base - Solid defense at third His presence stabilizes the infield and lengthens the lineup. 4. Velasquez Is Becoming the New Clutch Bat A sac fly to win Game 3 A double in Game 2 Quietly up to 17 RBI 5. Sacramento Leaves the Road Trip 5–1 A remarkable turnaround after the Murguia injury. ★ ★ ★ Gemmy’s Take: Survival Mode is Working The Prayers are playing "Sacramento Baseball" to perfection right now: elite starting pitching, a lockdown closer, and just enough offense to squeak by. While Luis Prieto made things interesting in the 9th on Wednesday (allowing two hits), he secured his 10th save, keeping Sacramento firmly atop the West. One concern: the defense. Bret Perez committed two errors on Wednesday. We'll chalk that up to "tailbone rust," but against better teams, those mistakes will prove costly. For now, the Prayers are 10 games over .500 and heading home. ★ ★ ★ UP NEXT The Prayers return home to host the El Paso Abbots for a three‑game set. Projected rotation: - Salazar - Andretti - Gray The pitching is elite. The lineup is patchwork. The division lead is still razor‑thin. Last edited by liberty-ca; 12-31-2025 at 01:49 AM.