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liberty-ca · 01-03-2026, 08:41 PM

BNN SERIES RECAP — MAY 30–JUNE 1, 1989
PRAYERS DROP 2 OF 3 IN SEATTLE — STREAK ENDS, BUT ROTATION STILL SHINES
By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SEATTLE, WA — All good things must come to an end, even for the most dominant team in baseball. After nearly three weeks of uninterrupted winning, the Sacramento Prayers finally hit turbulence in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Lucifers — a team that has spent most of the season punching above and below its weight in alternating bursts — managed to hand Sacramento two late‑inning losses, bookending a dominant Prayers shutout in the middle game.

The result: Sacramento drops the series 2–1, falls to 39–17, and sees its winning streak end at 14 games. But even in defeat, the rotation continued to pitch like the best staff in baseball. While the streak is over, Sacramento still holds a commanding 8½-game lead in the AL West.

This series wasn’t about collapse. It was about margins — razor‑thin ones — and Seattle found just enough daylight to squeeze through.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, MAY 30 — LUCIFERS 3, PRAYERS 2
The Streak Dies in Seattle

The magic finally ran out on Tuesday night. Sacramento’s first loss in nearly two weeks came in a game that felt winnable from the first pitch to the last. Fernando Salazar was sharp but not untouchable, and he was still good enough to win:

- 7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K

The Prayers led 2–0 early thanks to:

- Gil Cruz’s first home run of the season, a no‑doubt shot in the fifth
- Alex Velasquez’s RBI double in the fourth

But the offense stalled, and Seattle chipped away. The deciding blow came in the bottom of the eighth when Aaron Miller drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice off Ricky Gaias. Seattle's closer, Wayne Thomaston, slammed the door in the ninth, officially ending the Prayers’ winning streak at 14.

Sacramento had chances — especially in the late innings — but went 0-for-3 with RISP after the fifth.

Key notes:
- Cruz: HR, 2 runs produced
- Musco: reached twice, scored once
- Perez: stolen base #12
- Streak ends at 14

“It’s so much easier when you throw good pitches,” Seattle starter Nelson Huichapa said afterward — a subtle nod to how little margin either side was given.

Sacramento outhit Seattle 7–6. Sacramento committed no errors. Sacramento still walked off with a loss.

That was the theme.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 — PRAYERS 8, LUCIFERS 0
Iniguez Makes History; Rubalcava Dominates Again

If there was any "post-streak hangover," Hector Iniguez didn't get the memo. Iniguez delivered one of the most explosive offensive performances of the season — four doubles, tying an American League record, while scoring twice and driving in two. Every at-bat seemed louder than the last, each ball rocketing into gaps Seattle couldn’t seal:

- 4-for-5, FOUR doubles, tying the AL regular‑season record
- 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
- 8 total bases

He wasn’t alone. Sacramento pounded out 15 hits, including:

- Velasquez: triple + double, 2 RBI
- Hernandez: two doubles
- Strauss: two hits, 2 RBI
- Perez: two hits, run scored

Jordan Rubalcava matched that intensity with composure. Despite dancing around 8 hits, he refused to let a runner cross the plate over 6.0 innings:

- 6 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 5 K
- ERA drops to 1.79

He bent, but he never broke — and the bullpen followed suit flawlessly — Vizcarra and Gilbert slammed the door, combining for three scoreless innings.

This was Sacramento at its most complete: power, speed, gap‑to‑gap hitting, and a rotation that refuses to blink.
“The at-bats, obviously, needed to be better,” Lucifers manager Tony Sotelo admitted. For one night, Sacramento looked like the team the rest of the division fears.

Key notes:
- Iniguez ties AL doubles record
- Velasquez: Triple, Double, 2 RBI
- Rubalcava improves to 6–2
- Sacramento wins 8–0, moves to 39–16

★ ★ ★

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 — LUCIFERS 2, PRAYERS 1
Heartbreaker: Mullikin Walks It Off After Larson’s Gem

This one hurt.

Robby Larson pitched the game of his season — maybe the game of his life:

- 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K, 0 BB
- 100 pitches, 71 strikes
- A masterpiece

But the offense never got going. Sacramento managed just four hits, and their lone run came on an RBI single from Edwin Musco in the fourth.

Clinging to a 1–0 lead in the ninth, Sacramento turned to closer Luis Prieto, who had been brilliant for weeks. But on this night, he left one pitch in the wrong place.

Seattle’s DH John Mullikin launched a two-run homer into the night, flipping the game in a single swing, turning a pitching masterpiece into a loss and handing Prieto his third blown save and the Prayers their second loss of the series.

Larson received a standing ovation. The scoreboard told a different story. “It was just a matter of executing,” Sotelo said — and for one pitch, Sacramento didn’t. It was a reminder: even elite closers bleed.

Key notes:
- Larson: 8 scoreless innings
- Musco: 2 hits, RBI
- Hernandez: stolen base #19
- Prieto: BS, L (3-4, 3.45 ERA)
- Sacramento falls to 39–17

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

1. The Rotation Is Still Untouchable
Even in a losing series, the starters were absurd:

- Salazar: 7.1 IP, 3 ER
- Rubalcava: 6 IP, 0 ER
- Larson: 8 IP, 0 ER

Combined: 21.1 IP, 3 ER (1.27 ERA)

This is the best rotation in baseball by a mile.

2. The Offense Is Showing Cracks
In the two losses:

- 2 runs
- 1 run
- 11 total hits

The Prayers are still winning with execution, not firepower. They need more from the middle of the order, and they need someone besides Iniguez and Musco to carry the load.

3. Iniguez Is Heating Up
Over his last 10 games:

- Hitting .429
- 2 HR
- 4 doubles in one game
- OPS soaring

He’s becoming the stabilizer the lineup desperately needs.

4. Prieto Finally Falters
After weeks of dominance:

- Blown save #3
- ERA rises to 3.45
- Still 13-for-16 in save chances

He remains elite — but human.

5. Sacramento Still Controls the West
Even after dropping the series:

1. Sacramento — 39–17
2. Tucson — 30–25 (8.5 GB)
3. Seattle — 28–29
4. San Jose — 27–30
5. Fort Worth — 26–31
6. El Paso — 24–32

The division is not close.

★ ★ ★

STAT WATCH: PRAYERS LEADERS (AS OF JUNE 2)

* AVG: H. Iniguez (.276)
* HR: E. Musco (9)
* RBI: E. Musco (32)
* ERA: R. Gray (1.67) / J. Rubalcava (1.79)
* K: R. Larson (75)

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: A Gut Punch, But Not a Warning Sign

Losing two out of three in Seattle is frustrating, especially with the way that Thursday game ended. My heart breaks for Robby Larson — you don't see many 8-inning, zero-walk, zero-run performances end in a loss. Luis Prieto has been so solid lately, but that Mullikin blast was a reminder that even the best can blink.

But let’s talk about Hector Iniguez. Four doubles in one game? That’s legendary. With Eli Murguia still months away from returning, Hector is proving he can be the offensive engine this team needs.

The Prayers are now heading to Columbus to face a very tough Heaven team (32-24). It’s the first real "adversity" this team has faced since mid-May. Let's see how Jimmy Aces rallies the troops.

The road trip continues for Prayers in Columbus, where a three-game set against the Heaven awaits with Bernardo Andretti (6-2, 2.39 ERA) being first on the hill — and that’s where we’ll see whether this team shrugs off the Seattle sting or lets it linger.

01-03-2026, 08:41 PM	#130
liberty-ca Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 298	BNN SERIES RECAP — MAY 30–JUNE 1, 1989 PRAYERS DROP 2 OF 3 IN SEATTLE — STREAK ENDS, BUT ROTATION STILL SHINES By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle SEATTLE, WA — All good things must come to an end, even for the most dominant team in baseball. After nearly three weeks of uninterrupted winning, the Sacramento Prayers finally hit turbulence in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Lucifers — a team that has spent most of the season punching above and below its weight in alternating bursts — managed to hand Sacramento two late‑inning losses, bookending a dominant Prayers shutout in the middle game. The result: Sacramento drops the series 2–1, falls to 39–17, and sees its winning streak end at 14 games. But even in defeat, the rotation continued to pitch like the best staff in baseball. While the streak is over, Sacramento still holds a commanding 8½-game lead in the AL West. This series wasn’t about collapse. It was about margins — razor‑thin ones — and Seattle found just enough daylight to squeeze through. ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, MAY 30 — LUCIFERS 3, PRAYERS 2 The Streak Dies in Seattle The magic finally ran out on Tuesday night. Sacramento’s first loss in nearly two weeks came in a game that felt winnable from the first pitch to the last. Fernando Salazar was sharp but not untouchable, and he was still good enough to win: - 7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K The Prayers led 2–0 early thanks to: - Gil Cruz’s first home run of the season, a no‑doubt shot in the fifth - Alex Velasquez’s RBI double in the fourth But the offense stalled, and Seattle chipped away. The deciding blow came in the bottom of the eighth when Aaron Miller drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice off Ricky Gaias. Seattle's closer, Wayne Thomaston, slammed the door in the ninth, officially ending the Prayers’ winning streak at 14. Sacramento had chances — especially in the late innings — but went 0-for-3 with RISP after the fifth. Key notes: - Cruz: HR, 2 runs produced - Musco: reached twice, scored once - Perez: stolen base #12 - Streak ends at 14 “It’s so much easier when you throw good pitches,” Seattle starter Nelson Huichapa said afterward — a subtle nod to how little margin either side was given. Sacramento outhit Seattle 7–6. Sacramento committed no errors. Sacramento still walked off with a loss. That was the theme. ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 — PRAYERS 8, LUCIFERS 0 Iniguez Makes History; Rubalcava Dominates Again If there was any "post-streak hangover," Hector Iniguez didn't get the memo. Iniguez delivered one of the most explosive offensive performances of the season — four doubles, tying an American League record, while scoring twice and driving in two. Every at-bat seemed louder than the last, each ball rocketing into gaps Seattle couldn’t seal: - 4-for-5, FOUR doubles, tying the AL regular‑season record - 2 RBI, 2 runs scored - 8 total bases He wasn’t alone. Sacramento pounded out 15 hits, including: - Velasquez: triple + double, 2 RBI - Hernandez: two doubles - Strauss: two hits, 2 RBI - Perez: two hits, run scored Jordan Rubalcava matched that intensity with composure. Despite dancing around 8 hits, he refused to let a runner cross the plate over 6.0 innings: - 6 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 5 K - ERA drops to 1.79 He bent, but he never broke — and the bullpen followed suit flawlessly — Vizcarra and Gilbert slammed the door, combining for three scoreless innings. This was Sacramento at its most complete: power, speed, gap‑to‑gap hitting, and a rotation that refuses to blink. “The at-bats, obviously, needed to be better,” Lucifers manager Tony Sotelo admitted. For one night, Sacramento looked like the team the rest of the division fears. Key notes: - Iniguez ties AL doubles record - Velasquez: Triple, Double, 2 RBI - Rubalcava improves to 6–2 - Sacramento wins 8–0, moves to 39–16 ★ ★ ★ THURSDAY, JUNE 1 — LUCIFERS 2, PRAYERS 1 Heartbreaker: Mullikin Walks It Off After Larson’s Gem This one hurt. Robby Larson pitched the game of his season — maybe the game of his life: - 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K, 0 BB - 100 pitches, 71 strikes - A masterpiece But the offense never got going. Sacramento managed just four hits, and their lone run came on an RBI single from Edwin Musco in the fourth. Clinging to a 1–0 lead in the ninth, Sacramento turned to closer Luis Prieto, who had been brilliant for weeks. But on this night, he left one pitch in the wrong place. Seattle’s DH John Mullikin launched a two-run homer into the night, flipping the game in a single swing, turning a pitching masterpiece into a loss and handing Prieto his third blown save and the Prayers their second loss of the series. Larson received a standing ovation. The scoreboard told a different story. “It was just a matter of executing,” Sotelo said — and for one pitch, Sacramento didn’t. It was a reminder: even elite closers bleed. Key notes: - Larson: 8 scoreless innings - Musco: 2 hits, RBI - Hernandez: stolen base #19 - Prieto: BS, L (3-4, 3.45 ERA) - Sacramento falls to 39–17 ★ ★ ★ SERIES TAKEAWAYS 1. The Rotation Is Still Untouchable Even in a losing series, the starters were absurd: - Salazar: 7.1 IP, 3 ER - Rubalcava: 6 IP, 0 ER - Larson: 8 IP, 0 ER Combined: 21.1 IP, 3 ER (1.27 ERA) This is the best rotation in baseball by a mile. 2. The Offense Is Showing Cracks In the two losses: - 2 runs - 1 run - 11 total hits The Prayers are still winning with execution, not firepower. They need more from the middle of the order, and they need someone besides Iniguez and Musco to carry the load. 3. Iniguez Is Heating Up Over his last 10 games: - Hitting .429 - 2 HR - 4 doubles in one game - OPS soaring He’s becoming the stabilizer the lineup desperately needs. 4. Prieto Finally Falters After weeks of dominance: - Blown save #3 - ERA rises to 3.45 - Still 13-for-16 in save chances He remains elite — but human. 5. Sacramento Still Controls the West Even after dropping the series: 1. Sacramento — 39–17 2. Tucson — 30–25 (8.5 GB) 3. Seattle — 28–29 4. San Jose — 27–30 5. Fort Worth — 26–31 6. El Paso — 24–32 The division is not close. ★ ★ ★ STAT WATCH: PRAYERS LEADERS (AS OF JUNE 2) * AVG: H. Iniguez (.276) * HR: E. Musco (9) * RBI: E. Musco (32) * ERA: R. Gray (1.67) / J. Rubalcava (1.79) * K: R. Larson (75) ★ ★ ★ Gemmy’s Take: A Gut Punch, But Not a Warning Sign Losing two out of three in Seattle is frustrating, especially with the way that Thursday game ended. My heart breaks for Robby Larson — you don't see many 8-inning, zero-walk, zero-run performances end in a loss. Luis Prieto has been so solid lately, but that Mullikin blast was a reminder that even the best can blink. But let’s talk about Hector Iniguez. Four doubles in one game? That’s legendary. With Eli Murguia still months away from returning, Hector is proving he can be the offensive engine this team needs. The Prayers are now heading to Columbus to face a very tough Heaven team (32-24). It’s the first real "adversity" this team has faced since mid-May. Let's see how Jimmy Aces rallies the troops. The road trip continues for Prayers in Columbus, where a three-game set against the Heaven awaits with Bernardo Andretti (6-2, 2.39 ERA) being first on the hill — and that’s where we’ll see whether this team shrugs off the Seattle sting or lets it linger.