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liberty-ca · 01-04-2026, 01:26 AM

BNN SERIES RECAP — JUNE 5–7, 1989
PITCHING PROWESS: PRAYERS TAKE TWO FROM PREACHERS
By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SACRAMENTO, CA — After a grueling road trip through Seattle and Columbus, the Sacramento Prayers returned home and did what elite teams do: they stabilized. Prayers (43-19) continue to prove that in 1989, pitching isn't just a part of their game—it is their game. Despite a growing list of injuries in the outfield, the Prayers used a combination of dominant starting pitching and a dramatic walk-off to take a 2-1 series victory over the visiting Detroit Preachers, club hovering around .500 but playing with edge and urgency.

The Prayers now sit a comfortable 9.5 games ahead of the Tucson Cherubs in the AL West, boasting a pitching staff that currently ranks 1st in the American League in every major statistical category, including ERA, Strikeouts, and Hits Allowed.

Detroit pushed Sacramento in all three games, and the Prayers’ margin for error — especially with Camden Liston and Eli Murguia injured — is shrinking. Still, Sacramento found enough timely hits and leaned on its arms to secure another winning series.

★ ★ ★

MONDAY, JUNE 5 — PRAYERS 2, PREACHERS 1
Rubalcava Owns the Night; Valadez Delivers the Difference

This was a classic Sacramento win: suffocating pitching, just enough offense, and a bullpen that slammed the door. This was Jordan Rubalcava at full command — the version opposing lineups dread.

The right-hander worked his way through Detroit for eight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, striking out eight, and never issuing a walk. He worked quickly, challenged hitters, and erased mistakes with poise. When Detroit finally scratched across a run in the seventh — unearned — it felt almost accidental.

“It feels good to get this one,” Rubalcava said afterward. It felt better than good. It felt inevitable. Sacramento’s offense didn’t offer much cushion, but it offered just enough.

* Andres Valadez delivered a two-out RBI double in the sixth
* Sam Strauss drove in the other run
* Detroit committed three errors, all of which kept innings alive

Luis Prieto handled the ninth calmly for save No. 14, and the Prayers moved to 42–18, winning a game defined almost entirely by its starter.

This was a reminder: when Rubalcava takes the ball, Sacramento doesn’t need fireworks. They need patience.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, JUNE 6 — PRAYERS 6, PREACHERS 5
Rodriguez Powers the Comeback; Hernandez Walks it Off

Tuesday was chaos — loud, messy, and emotional. This one had everything: early fireworks, defensive miscues, bullpen tension, and a walk‑off that sent Sacramento Stadium into chaos.

In the most electric game of the series, the star was unexpected: Jesus Rodriguez, the utility infielder who has quietly become one of the most productive bats off the bench. He launched two home runs, driving in three, and almost single‑handedly kept Sacramento afloat. However, the game remained knotted at 5-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The defining swing belonged to Francisco Hernandez, who lined a sharp single into right field in the bottom of the ninth to win it sending the crowd home and Sacramento’s dugout spilling onto the field. Hernandez has been streaky all year, but when he’s locked in, he’s still one of the most dangerous situational hitters on the roster.

Other key moments:

- Gil Cruz homered in the fourth
- Logan Hicks tripled home a run and later delivered a sac fly
- Jose Rubbi doubled and scored
- Luis Prieto earned the win with a clean ninth

“I warned the team,” Detroit manager Mario Montenegro joked darkly afterward, “that I’m wearing the same pair of undies until we win.” Sacramento improved to 43–18, and the dugout felt electric.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 — PREACHERS 5, PRAYERS 2
Rezende Outduels Andretti; Sacramento’s Offense Goes Quiet Again

TDetroit wasn’t leaving town quietly. The finale was a reminder that even great teams hit turbulence.

The series finale saw Bernardo Andretti (6-4) struggle with his command, surrendering four earned runs over 6.2 innings. While Edwin Musco stayed hot with his team-leading 12th home run of the season, the Prayers couldn't solve Detroit's Jorge Rezende, who was excellent, holding Sacramento to just four hits over seven innings. When the Prayers struck first on a two-run homer by Edwin Musco in the third, it looked like momentum might finally break. It didn’t.

Detroit chipped away, then took control in the seventh when Jose Nevarez delivered a go-ahead, two-run single — the decisive swing of the night. From there, Ed Holt slammed the door, earning his 20th save and sealing Detroit’s lone win of the series.

Meanwhile, Bernardo Andretti wasn’t bad — but he wasn’t sharp, he battled but absorbed the loss, undone by timing rather than stuff: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 6 K. Detroit added an insurance run in the ninth, and Sacramento never threatened. The loss snapped a four‑game winning streak and highlighted the team’s ongoing challenge: when the lineup doesn’t produce, even elite pitching can’t always save them. It was the kind of game Sacramento has won often this year — just not this time.

The loss was made worse by a fresh blow to the roster: outfielder Camden Liston exited the game with patellar tendinitis. With Eli Murguia already on the 60-day IL, Sacramento’s outfield depth is being pushed to its absolute limit. Injury Update: Camden Liston is out 2-3 weeks.

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

1. Rubalcava Is Undisputed Ace
His last two starts:
- 16 IP, 0 ER, 12 K, 0 BB
He now leads the team with a 1.65 ERA and looks like a legitimate Cy Young contender.

2. Jesus Rodriguez Might Be For Real
He’s hitting .350 with power in limited action and has become a spark plug off the bench. Without his two homers Tuesday, this series may have swung. In limited duty, he continues to deliver outsized impact.

3. Prieto’s Workload Is Becoming a Concern
He pitched in all three games of the series and is now listed as slightly tired. Sacramento may need to ease his usage.

4. Detroit Was Better Than Their Record
The Preachers didn’t flinch, didn’t fade, and forced Sacramento to earn everything. This wasn’t a soft series win.

5. Injuries Are Mounting
- Camden Liston: patellar tendinitis (2–3 weeks)
- Eli Murguia: out for the season
- Francisco Hernandez: minor arm issue but avoided IL

Depth is becoming a storyline.

★ ★ ★

PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

Edwin Musco (2B): Hit his 12th HR of the year on Wednesday. He now leads the team in HR (12) and RBI (39) and is the only Prayer with double-digit homers.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: The Machine Keeps Grinding

It’s getting hard to find new ways to describe Jordan Rubalcava. A 1.65 ERA in June? That’s not just good; that’s "video game" territory. Our starters are currently leading the AL with a 2.37 ERA, which is why we’re 24 games over .500 despite a team batting average that sits at 11th in the league.

The real story, though, is the "M.A.S.H." unit we're running in the outfield. Losing Liston for a few weeks wouldn't normally be a crisis, but with Murguia out long-term, we are down to Logan Hicks, Alex Velasquez, and Francisco Hernandez (who is also banged up) as our only healthy regular outfielders. I wouldn't be surprised to see GM Jimmy Aces looking at the waiver wire or calling up someone from the minors before we head to San Jose.

Speaking of Jesus Rodriguez — where has that power been?! Two bombs in one game? If he can provide that kind of spark from the second base rotation, it takes a lot of pressure off Musco.

Sacramento isn’t blowing teams out the way they did in mid‑May, but they’re still winning series — and that’s what great teams do. The pitching staff remains the best in baseball, and the offense, while inconsistent, is finding enough big swings to survive.

The upcoming four‑game set in San Jose will be a test. The Demons are streaky, unpredictable, and always play Sacramento tough. If the Prayers can take three of four, they’ll head into mid‑June with a division lead that looks nearly insurmountable.

01-04-2026, 01:26 AM	#132
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 307	BNN SERIES RECAP — JUNE 5–7, 1989 PITCHING PROWESS: PRAYERS TAKE TWO FROM PREACHERS By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle SACRAMENTO, CA — After a grueling road trip through Seattle and Columbus, the Sacramento Prayers returned home and did what elite teams do: they stabilized. Prayers (43-19) continue to prove that in 1989, pitching isn't just a part of their game—it is their game. Despite a growing list of injuries in the outfield, the Prayers used a combination of dominant starting pitching and a dramatic walk-off to take a 2-1 series victory over the visiting Detroit Preachers, club hovering around .500 but playing with edge and urgency. The Prayers now sit a comfortable 9.5 games ahead of the Tucson Cherubs in the AL West, boasting a pitching staff that currently ranks 1st in the American League in every major statistical category, including ERA, Strikeouts, and Hits Allowed. Detroit pushed Sacramento in all three games, and the Prayers’ margin for error — especially with Camden Liston and Eli Murguia injured — is shrinking. Still, Sacramento found enough timely hits and leaned on its arms to secure another winning series. ★ ★ ★ MONDAY, JUNE 5 — PRAYERS 2, PREACHERS 1 Rubalcava Owns the Night; Valadez Delivers the Difference This was a classic Sacramento win: suffocating pitching, just enough offense, and a bullpen that slammed the door. This was Jordan Rubalcava at full command — the version opposing lineups dread. The right-hander worked his way through Detroit for eight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, striking out eight, and never issuing a walk. He worked quickly, challenged hitters, and erased mistakes with poise. When Detroit finally scratched across a run in the seventh — unearned — it felt almost accidental. “It feels good to get this one,” Rubalcava said afterward. It felt better than good. It felt inevitable. Sacramento’s offense didn’t offer much cushion, but it offered just enough. * Andres Valadez delivered a two-out RBI double in the sixth * Sam Strauss drove in the other run * Detroit committed three errors, all of which kept innings alive Luis Prieto handled the ninth calmly for save No. 14, and the Prayers moved to 42–18, winning a game defined almost entirely by its starter. This was a reminder: when Rubalcava takes the ball, Sacramento doesn’t need fireworks. They need patience. ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, JUNE 6 — PRAYERS 6, PREACHERS 5 Rodriguez Powers the Comeback; Hernandez Walks it Off Tuesday was chaos — loud, messy, and emotional. This one had everything: early fireworks, defensive miscues, bullpen tension, and a walk‑off that sent Sacramento Stadium into chaos. In the most electric game of the series, the star was unexpected: Jesus Rodriguez, the utility infielder who has quietly become one of the most productive bats off the bench. He launched two home runs, driving in three, and almost single‑handedly kept Sacramento afloat. However, the game remained knotted at 5-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth. The defining swing belonged to Francisco Hernandez, who lined a sharp single into right field in the bottom of the ninth to win it sending the crowd home and Sacramento’s dugout spilling onto the field. Hernandez has been streaky all year, but when he’s locked in, he’s still one of the most dangerous situational hitters on the roster. Other key moments: - Gil Cruz homered in the fourth - Logan Hicks tripled home a run and later delivered a sac fly - Jose Rubbi doubled and scored - Luis Prieto earned the win with a clean ninth “I warned the team,” Detroit manager Mario Montenegro joked darkly afterward, “that I’m wearing the same pair of undies until we win.” Sacramento improved to 43–18, and the dugout felt electric. ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 — PREACHERS 5, PRAYERS 2 Rezende Outduels Andretti; Sacramento’s Offense Goes Quiet Again TDetroit wasn’t leaving town quietly. The finale was a reminder that even great teams hit turbulence. The series finale saw Bernardo Andretti (6-4) struggle with his command, surrendering four earned runs over 6.2 innings. While Edwin Musco stayed hot with his team-leading 12th home run of the season, the Prayers couldn't solve Detroit's Jorge Rezende, who was excellent, holding Sacramento to just four hits over seven innings. When the Prayers struck first on a two-run homer by Edwin Musco in the third, it looked like momentum might finally break. It didn’t. Detroit chipped away, then took control in the seventh when Jose Nevarez delivered a go-ahead, two-run single — the decisive swing of the night. From there, Ed Holt slammed the door, earning his 20th save and sealing Detroit’s lone win of the series. Meanwhile, Bernardo Andretti wasn’t bad — but he wasn’t sharp, he battled but absorbed the loss, undone by timing rather than stuff: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 6 K. Detroit added an insurance run in the ninth, and Sacramento never threatened. The loss snapped a four‑game winning streak and highlighted the team’s ongoing challenge: when the lineup doesn’t produce, even elite pitching can’t always save them. It was the kind of game Sacramento has won often this year — just not this time. The loss was made worse by a fresh blow to the roster: outfielder Camden Liston exited the game with patellar tendinitis. With Eli Murguia already on the 60-day IL, Sacramento’s outfield depth is being pushed to its absolute limit. Injury Update: Camden Liston is out 2-3 weeks. ★ ★ ★ SERIES TAKEAWAYS 1. Rubalcava Is Undisputed Ace His last two starts: - 16 IP, 0 ER, 12 K, 0 BB He now leads the team with a 1.65 ERA and looks like a legitimate Cy Young contender. 2. Jesus Rodriguez Might Be For Real He’s hitting .350 with power in limited action and has become a spark plug off the bench. Without his two homers Tuesday, this series may have swung. In limited duty, he continues to deliver outsized impact. 3. Prieto’s Workload Is Becoming a Concern He pitched in all three games of the series and is now listed as slightly tired. Sacramento may need to ease his usage. 4. Detroit Was Better Than Their Record The Preachers didn’t flinch, didn’t fade, and forced Sacramento to earn everything. This wasn’t a soft series win. 5. Injuries Are Mounting - Camden Liston: patellar tendinitis (2–3 weeks) - Eli Murguia: out for the season - Francisco Hernandez: minor arm issue but avoided IL Depth is becoming a storyline. ★ ★ ★ PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE Edwin Musco (2B): Hit his 12th HR of the year on Wednesday. He now leads the team in HR (12) and RBI (39) and is the only Prayer with double-digit homers. ★ ★ ★ Gemmy’s Take: The Machine Keeps Grinding It’s getting hard to find new ways to describe Jordan Rubalcava. A 1.65 ERA in June? That’s not just good; that’s "video game" territory. Our starters are currently leading the AL with a 2.37 ERA, which is why we’re 24 games over .500 despite a team batting average that sits at 11th in the league. The real story, though, is the "M.A.S.H." unit we're running in the outfield. Losing Liston for a few weeks wouldn't normally be a crisis, but with Murguia out long-term, we are down to Logan Hicks, Alex Velasquez, and Francisco Hernandez (who is also banged up) as our only healthy regular outfielders. I wouldn't be surprised to see GM Jimmy Aces looking at the waiver wire or calling up someone from the minors before we head to San Jose. Speaking of Jesus Rodriguez — where has that power been?! Two bombs in one game? If he can provide that kind of spark from the second base rotation, it takes a lot of pressure off Musco. Sacramento isn’t blowing teams out the way they did in mid‑May, but they’re still winning series — and that’s what great teams do. The pitching staff remains the best in baseball, and the offense, while inconsistent, is finding enough big swings to survive. The upcoming four‑game set in San Jose will be a test. The Demons are streaky, unpredictable, and always play Sacramento tough. If the Prayers can take three of four, they’ll head into mid‑June with a division lead that looks nearly insurmountable.