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liberty-ca · 12-31-2025, 07:40 PM

BNN SERIES RECAP — MAY 15–17, 1989
PRAYERS SWEEP SAN JOSE WITH POWER, PATIENCE, AND TIMELY HITS — CLIMB TO 29–15
By Chad G. Petey and C.O.Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Sacramento Prayers (29-15) didn't just beat the San Jose Demons this week; they exorcised them. Prayers entered their three‑game set against the San Jose Demons riding momentum, confidence, and the best pitching staff in the American League. With the sweep at Sacramento Stadium, the Prayers showcased every way they can win: an offensive explosion, a late-inning nail-biter, and a come-from-behind slugfest. They will head to Baltimore with season-high 7 games over .500, a division lead stretched to 3½ games, and a clubhouse buzzing about the emergence of Bret Perez as a legitimate middle‑order force.

But the sweep came with a gut‑punch and the celebratory mood in the clubhouse is tempered by a dark cloud hanging over the training room: Jordan Rubalcava, the team’s co‑ace and owner of a 1.76 ERA, left Monday’s game with an injury. The severity is not yet known, but the concern is real.

★ ★ ★

Seventh-Inning Deluge Turns Tense Duel into Statement

For six innings, Monday night felt like another chapter in Sacramento’s recent script: tight margins, quiet bats, and the burden resting squarely on the right arm of Jordan Rubalcava.

Rubalcava was crisp and efficient, retiring hitters with a mix of late movement and fearless command. Outside of a solo homer by Rafael Lewis in the fourth, San Jose struggled to string together anything meaningful. Rubalcava exited after six strong innings — 3 hits, 2 runs, 5 strikeouts — lowering his ERA to 1.76 but leaving with an ominous cloud hovering: the ace departed later diagnosed with an injury sustained mid-outing, a development that would loom large in the days ahead. All eyes are on the medical staff's report on Rubalcava. Losing the "Venerable Venezuelan" would be the biggest blow yet to this roster.

The game remained knotted and uneasy until the bottom of the seventh. Then everything broke loose.

What began with a patient walk from Logan Hicks snowballed into a relentless parade of baserunners. Sacramento sent 13 men to the plate, scored eight runs, and exposed a San Jose bullpen that never recovered from Craig Rentas’ inability to find the zone.

Key blows rained in from everywhere:

* Bret Perez continued his torrid stretch with three hits and an RBI
* Edwin Musco and Alex Velasquez delivered two-out RBIs
* Francisco Hernandez added speed and pressure on the bases
* Hicks’ RBI walk embodied the inning’s theme: patience punished

By the time the dust settled, a close game had become a rout.

“Every manager loves to see an offensive outburst,” Jimmy Aces said afterward, “especially when it comes the right way.” It came the right way — disciplined, relentless, and overwhelming.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, MAY 16 — PRAYERS 2, DEMONS 1

Strauss Walks It Off After Pitchers’ Chess Match

This was Sacramento baseball in its purest 1989 form: elite pitching, thin offense, late drama.

San Jose starter Luo-lang Liu was brilliant, carving through the Sacramento lineup with poise and efficiency. For eight innings, he allowed just five hits, frustrating a Prayers offense still trying to find consistency. Across the diamond, Russ Gray matched him pitch for pitch delivering another signature gem — 6.1 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 3 strikeouts — lowering his ERA to 1.34, the best among AL starters.

San Jose struck first with a sacrifice fly, and for much of the night it felt like that might be enough. The Prayers trailed 1–0 until the seventh, when Hector Iniguez turned on a fastball and sent it into the night for his fourth home run of the season — a solo shot that finally cracked Liu’s rhythm.

The game was deadlocked 1-1 in the 9th when Sam Strauss stepped in with with the bases loaded and lifted a deep sacrifice fly to right, scoring Francisco Hernandez and sending Sacramento Stadium into a roar.

Luis Prieto earned the win with a clean ninth, improving to 2–3.

Sacramento climbed to 28–15, and the team’s resilience — even without Murguia, even without Rubalcava — was on full display.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 — PRAYERS 9, DEMONS 5

The Bret Perez Power Hour

Wednesday night belonged to Bret Perez.

San Jose struck early, tagging Robby Larson for five runs through the middle innings, including a two-run homer and a gap-splitting double that briefly flipped the game on its head. Errors crept in. Tension followed.

Then Perez seized control.

In the second inning, he delivered the first blow — a three-run homer that electrified the ballpark and hinted at what was coming. Later, with the Prayers trailing again in the sixth and the bases loaded, catcher Alex Vieyra punched a two-run single through the infield to swing momentum back.

From there, Perez finished the job. By night’s end, his line told the story:

* 3-for-4
* 5 RBIs
* Home run, two singles, walk
* 11 RBIs on the season

Sacramento piled on insurance runs, the bullpen slammed the door, and the Demons were left staring at another night where opportunity slipped away.

“We had some nice at-bats at the right time,” Aces said. “That’s what winning baseball looks like.”

★ ★ ★

THE MEDICAL REPORT: RUBALCAVA OUT — FOR HOW LONG?

The biggest story of the series wasn’t a hit, a homer, or a walk‑off. It was Jordan Rubalcava walking off the mound on Monday. Team officials have not released details, but sources inside the clubhouse describe the injury as “concerning.” Rubalcava has been the Prayers’ most consistent starter: 4–2, 1.76 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 38 K in 66.2 IP. Losing him for any length of time would fundamentally reshape the rotation — and the season.

Gil "Mongoose" Cruz (INF): is still day-to-day with the oblique strain. He made a pinch-hitting appearance on Monday but remains limited.

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

1. Bret Perez Is Becoming a Star
Since returning from the IL:

- .333 average
- 11 stolen bases
- Walk‑off double vs. El Paso
- Five‑RBI game vs. San Jose
- Stabilizing the infield and the lineup

He is the heartbeat of the offense.

2. The Rotation Is Still Elite — But Now Vulnerable
Gray, Larson, Salazar, Andretti… all performing.

But without Rubalcava?

The margin shrinks dramatically.

3. The Offense Is Showing Signs of Life
In the San Jose series:

- 21 runs in three games
- Multi‑hit games from Perez, Iniguez, Hernandez, Strauss
- Musco’s power returning

This is the best the lineup has looked since Murguia went down.

4. The Bullpen Is Settling In
Wright, Prieto, and Gaias combined for 7 scoreless innings in the series.

5. Sacramento Extends Its Division Lead
AL West standings after May 17:

1. Sacramento — 29–15 (.659)
2. Tucson — 25–18 (3.5 GB)
3. Fort Worth — 24–21 (5.5 GB)
4. Seattle — 23–22 (6.5 GB)
5. San Jose — 21–23 (8.0 GB)
6. El Paso — 18–25 (10.5 GB)

The Prayers are in command — but the Rubalcava injury looms large.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: The Perez Era Has Begun

The Prayers needed a new offensive identity after Murguia’s injury. They’ve found it in Bret Perez.
Before the tailbone injury, Bret Perez was a "good" player. Since coming back? He’s a superstar. Driving in 5 runs in a single game is exactly what this team needed to offset the loss of Eli Murguia: he’s hitting, running, defending, and leading. He’s the spark this team desperately needed.

But let’s be real: we are holding our collective breath for Jordan Rubalcava. This team is built on the backs of four elite starters. If Rubalcava is down for an extended period, the pressure on Russ Gray and Robby Larson becomes immense. The Prayers are flying high at 29-15, but the wings are starting to feel the strain. Sacramento’s rotation has been the best in baseball — and the workload has been enormous. If Rubalcava misses significant time, the Prayers will need to reinvent themselves again.

For now, though?

They’re 29–15, they’re rolling, and they’re still the class of the AL West.

12-31-2025, 07:40 PM	#126
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 303	BNN SERIES RECAP — MAY 15–17, 1989 PRAYERS SWEEP SAN JOSE WITH POWER, PATIENCE, AND TIMELY HITS — CLIMB TO 29–15 By Chad G. Petey and C.O.Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle SACRAMENTO, CA — The Sacramento Prayers (29-15) didn't just beat the San Jose Demons this week; they exorcised them. Prayers entered their three‑game set against the San Jose Demons riding momentum, confidence, and the best pitching staff in the American League. With the sweep at Sacramento Stadium, the Prayers showcased every way they can win: an offensive explosion, a late-inning nail-biter, and a come-from-behind slugfest. They will head to Baltimore with season-high 7 games over .500, a division lead stretched to 3½ games, and a clubhouse buzzing about the emergence of Bret Perez as a legitimate middle‑order force. But the sweep came with a gut‑punch and the celebratory mood in the clubhouse is tempered by a dark cloud hanging over the training room: Jordan Rubalcava, the team’s co‑ace and owner of a 1.76 ERA, left Monday’s game with an injury. The severity is not yet known, but the concern is real. ★ ★ ★ Seventh-Inning Deluge Turns Tense Duel into Statement For six innings, Monday night felt like another chapter in Sacramento’s recent script: tight margins, quiet bats, and the burden resting squarely on the right arm of Jordan Rubalcava. Rubalcava was crisp and efficient, retiring hitters with a mix of late movement and fearless command. Outside of a solo homer by Rafael Lewis in the fourth, San Jose struggled to string together anything meaningful. Rubalcava exited after six strong innings — 3 hits, 2 runs, 5 strikeouts — lowering his ERA to 1.76 but leaving with an ominous cloud hovering: the ace departed later diagnosed with an injury sustained mid-outing, a development that would loom large in the days ahead. All eyes are on the medical staff's report on Rubalcava. Losing the "Venerable Venezuelan" would be the biggest blow yet to this roster. The game remained knotted and uneasy until the bottom of the seventh. Then everything broke loose. What began with a patient walk from Logan Hicks snowballed into a relentless parade of baserunners. Sacramento sent 13 men to the plate, scored eight runs, and exposed a San Jose bullpen that never recovered from Craig Rentas’ inability to find the zone. Key blows rained in from everywhere: * Bret Perez continued his torrid stretch with three hits and an RBI * Edwin Musco and Alex Velasquez delivered two-out RBIs * Francisco Hernandez added speed and pressure on the bases * Hicks’ RBI walk embodied the inning’s theme: patience punished By the time the dust settled, a close game had become a rout. “Every manager loves to see an offensive outburst,” Jimmy Aces said afterward, “especially when it comes the right way.” It came the right way — disciplined, relentless, and overwhelming. ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, MAY 16 — PRAYERS 2, DEMONS 1 Strauss Walks It Off After Pitchers’ Chess Match This was Sacramento baseball in its purest 1989 form: elite pitching, thin offense, late drama. San Jose starter Luo-lang Liu was brilliant, carving through the Sacramento lineup with poise and efficiency. For eight innings, he allowed just five hits, frustrating a Prayers offense still trying to find consistency. Across the diamond, Russ Gray matched him pitch for pitch delivering another signature gem — 6.1 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 3 strikeouts — lowering his ERA to 1.34, the best among AL starters. San Jose struck first with a sacrifice fly, and for much of the night it felt like that might be enough. The Prayers trailed 1–0 until the seventh, when Hector Iniguez turned on a fastball and sent it into the night for his fourth home run of the season — a solo shot that finally cracked Liu’s rhythm. The game was deadlocked 1-1 in the 9th when Sam Strauss stepped in with with the bases loaded and lifted a deep sacrifice fly to right, scoring Francisco Hernandez and sending Sacramento Stadium into a roar. Luis Prieto earned the win with a clean ninth, improving to 2–3. Sacramento climbed to 28–15, and the team’s resilience — even without Murguia, even without Rubalcava — was on full display. ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 — PRAYERS 9, DEMONS 5 The Bret Perez Power Hour Wednesday night belonged to Bret Perez. San Jose struck early, tagging Robby Larson for five runs through the middle innings, including a two-run homer and a gap-splitting double that briefly flipped the game on its head. Errors crept in. Tension followed. Then Perez seized control. In the second inning, he delivered the first blow — a three-run homer that electrified the ballpark and hinted at what was coming. Later, with the Prayers trailing again in the sixth and the bases loaded, catcher Alex Vieyra punched a two-run single through the infield to swing momentum back. From there, Perez finished the job. By night’s end, his line told the story: * 3-for-4 * 5 RBIs * Home run, two singles, walk * 11 RBIs on the season Sacramento piled on insurance runs, the bullpen slammed the door, and the Demons were left staring at another night where opportunity slipped away. “We had some nice at-bats at the right time,” Aces said. “That’s what winning baseball looks like.” ★ ★ ★ THE MEDICAL REPORT: RUBALCAVA OUT — FOR HOW LONG? The biggest story of the series wasn’t a hit, a homer, or a walk‑off. It was Jordan Rubalcava walking off the mound on Monday. Team officials have not released details, but sources inside the clubhouse describe the injury as “concerning.” Rubalcava has been the Prayers’ most consistent starter: 4–2, 1.76 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 38 K in 66.2 IP. Losing him for any length of time would fundamentally reshape the rotation — and the season. Gil "Mongoose" Cruz (INF): is still day-to-day with the oblique strain. He made a pinch-hitting appearance on Monday but remains limited. ★ ★ ★ SERIES TAKEAWAYS 1. Bret Perez Is Becoming a Star Since returning from the IL: - .333 average - 11 stolen bases - Walk‑off double vs. El Paso - Five‑RBI game vs. San Jose - Stabilizing the infield and the lineup He is the heartbeat of the offense. 2. The Rotation Is Still Elite — But Now Vulnerable Gray, Larson, Salazar, Andretti… all performing. But without Rubalcava? The margin shrinks dramatically. 3. The Offense Is Showing Signs of Life In the San Jose series: - 21 runs in three games - Multi‑hit games from Perez, Iniguez, Hernandez, Strauss - Musco’s power returning This is the best the lineup has looked since Murguia went down. 4. The Bullpen Is Settling In Wright, Prieto, and Gaias combined for 7 scoreless innings in the series. 5. Sacramento Extends Its Division Lead AL West standings after May 17: 1. Sacramento — 29–15 (.659) 2. Tucson — 25–18 (3.5 GB) 3. Fort Worth — 24–21 (5.5 GB) 4. Seattle — 23–22 (6.5 GB) 5. San Jose — 21–23 (8.0 GB) 6. El Paso — 18–25 (10.5 GB) The Prayers are in command — but the Rubalcava injury looms large. ★ ★ ★ Gemmy’s Take: The Perez Era Has Begun The Prayers needed a new offensive identity after Murguia’s injury. They’ve found it in Bret Perez. Before the tailbone injury, Bret Perez was a "good" player. Since coming back? He’s a superstar. Driving in 5 runs in a single game is exactly what this team needed to offset the loss of Eli Murguia: he’s hitting, running, defending, and leading. He’s the spark this team desperately needed. But let’s be real: we are holding our collective breath for Jordan Rubalcava. This team is built on the backs of four elite starters. If Rubalcava is down for an extended period, the pressure on Russ Gray and Robby Larson becomes immense. The Prayers are flying high at 29-15, but the wings are starting to feel the strain. Sacramento’s rotation has been the best in baseball — and the workload has been enormous. If Rubalcava misses significant time, the Prayers will need to reinvent themselves again. For now, though? They’re 29–15, they’re rolling, and they’re still the class of the AL West.