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liberty-ca · 01-04-2026, 05:03 PM

BNN SERIES RECAP — JUNE 8–11, 1989
DEMON SLAYERS: PRAYERS GRIND OUT SERIES WIN IN SAN JOSE
By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SAN JOSE, CA — It wasn't always pretty, and it certainly wasn't a hit-parade, but the Sacramento Prayers (46-20) continue to find ways to win. Prayers arrived in San Jose carrying momentum, rotation depth, and the quiet confidence of a first-place club that had learned how to win games in more than one way. They left having taken three of four, navigating tight margins, extra innings, and one abrupt stumble — the kind of road series that tests contenders without derailing them. Despite scoring only eight runs across four games, Sacramento’s "Steel Curtain" pitching staff held the San Jose Demons to just ten total runs, securing a 3-1 series victory and extending their divisional lead to a double-digit 10.0 games.

The Prayers are now the first team in the league to reach 46 wins, though the grueling schedule is beginning to take a visible toll on the roster’s health.

★ ★ ★

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 — PRAYERS 4, DEMONS 2
Gray Steady, Musco Clutch, Sacramento Opens the Set with a Win

Russ Gray doesn’t overpower hitters. He doesn’t intimidate them. He just beats them.

The right‑hander delivered another quietly excellent outing — 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 0 BB — and the Prayers did just enough offensively to secure the opener.

San Jose struck first on a first-inning home run by Pedro Bocanegra, and for a moment it looked like the Demons might ride the crowd’s early energy.

They didn’t.

Russ Gray settled immediately, pitching with economy and calm. Over seven innings, he allowed two runs on seven hits, walked nobody, and let the defense work behind him. It wasn’t flashy, but it was firm — the kind of start that gives a visiting team its footing.

The turning point came in the second. Back-to-back doubles from Sam Strauss and Luis Martinez flipped the game. Martinez’s RBI double — his seventh of the year — gave Sacramento a lead it would not surrender. “We’ll take some time to unwind,” Martinez said afterward, “and then get after it again.”

The big swing came from Edwin Musco, who launched a solo shot in the eighth to give Sacramento breathing room.
San Jose threatened late, but Ricky Gaias and Luis Prieto slammed the door.

Key notes:
- Gray improves to 6–1, 2.16 ERA
- Musco hits HR #13
- Hicks steals his 11th base

★ ★ ★

FRIDAY, JUNE 9 — PRAYERS 2, DEMONS 1
Salazar Dominates, Valadez Delivers the Big Blow

This was vintage Fernando Salazar — the version Sacramento dreamed of when they acquired him. He was ruthless, efficient, and completely in control. In a ballpark that rewards mistakes, Salazar made almost none:

8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 2 BB

The Demons managed only one run — a solo shot by J. Reese — and never mounted a serious threat.

The Prayers’ offense didn’t do much, but it didn’t need to. In the ninth, with Sacramento trailing 1–0, with two outs and a runner aboard, Andres Valadez turned on a fastball and sent it over the wall in left field, crushing a two‑run homer off G. Strander, flipping the game on its head and sending the Prayers to their 45th win. Ricky Gaias stepped in for the save, silencing the San Jose crowd.

Key notes:
- Salazar improves to 7–2, 2.73 ERA
- Valadez hits HR #4
- Prieto earns save #16

★ ★ ★

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 — DEMONS 6, PRAYERS 0
Liu Shuts Down Sacramento; Rubalcava Tagged in Rare Off Night

Saturday was the outlier — and it arrived without warning. Every great team gets punched in the mouth occasionally, and even the best have bad days. This was Sacramento’s punch.

San Jose’s Luo‑lang Liu was brilliant — 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K — and the Demons’ bullpen finished the job. Sacramento never threatened, never found rhythm, and never solved Liu’s mix of cutters and changeups.

Jordan Rubalcava, who has been nearly untouchable all season, finally cracked. A three‑run homer by Ryan Parks in the sixth broke the game open, and the Demons cruised.

It was Sacramento’s first shutout loss since April.

Key notes:
- Rubalcava falls to 7–3, 2.05 ERA
- Sacramento held to six singles
- Demons snap the Prayers’ momentum

★ ★ ★

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 — PRAYERS 2, DEMONS 1 (11 INNINGS)
Larson Brilliant, Prieto Heroic, Martinez Wins It in Extras

This was the kind of game Sacramento wins because they’re Sacramento.

In a four-hour endurance test, Robby Larson threw seven innings of three-hit ball, but received no run support. Larson was magnificent: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 3 BB. He matched San Jose pitch for pitch, inning for inning, and kept the Prayers alive long enough for the late‑inning magic to return.

The game stayed tied 1–1 into the 11th, when Sam Strauss doubled to lead off, and Luis Martinez flew out deep enough to center to score the go-ahead run. Luis Prieto (5-4) was phenomenal in relief, striking out five over three scoreless innings to vulturing the win.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t clean. But it was a Sacramento win. “I put my work in and trusted the process,” Larson said. The team did the rest.

Key notes:
- Larson: 7 IP, 1 ER, ERA now 2.36
- Prieto: 3 IP, 5 K, earns win #5
- Perez homers (HR #3)

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

1. The Rotation Remains the Best in Baseball
Across the four games:

- Gray: 7 IP, 2 ER
- Salazar: 8 IP, 1 ER
- Rubalcava: 6 IP, 6 ER (rare off night)
- Larson: 7 IP, 1 ER

Combined: 28 IP, 10 ER (3.21 ERA)
And that includes Rubalcava’s worst start of the year.

2. The Offense Is Still a Roller Coaster
Runs scored in the series: 4; 2; 0; 2 .

They’re winning with pitching, defense, and just enough timely hitting. But the lack of consistent power remains the one thing keeping Sacramento from looking truly unstoppable.

3. Luis Martinez Is Quietly Becoming a Clutch Player
Luis Martinez (SS): hit .214 for the series but provided the go-ahead RBI in both Game 1 and Game 4. When the game is on the line, the kid doesn't blink.

4. Prieto Is Back to Being a Weapon
In the series:

- 4 IP, 0 R, 5 K, 0 BB
- Save #15
- Win #5

After a shaky April, he’s now one of the most reliable closers in the league.

5. Sacramento Hits the Road Again
Next up: Prayers travel to Fort Worth to take on the Spirits (30-37) starting Tuesday, then the massive showdown with Boston looms large.

The Prayers are 46–20, 10 games up in the AL West, and still playing like the class of the league.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: Survival Mode

We are officially in the "dog days" of June. Look at those scores: 4-2, 2-1, 0-6, 2-1. Our pitching is the only reason we aren't in a tailspin right now. Jordan Rubalcava finally looked human on Saturday, but he’s still sporting a 2.05 ERA, so let’s not panic.

The real concern is the clubhouse pharmacy. Edwin Musco is battling a nasty cold (Day-to-Day), and with Camden Liston and Eli Murguia both on the shelf, the outfield is looking thin. Robby Aguirre made his season debut this weekend — we’re literally pulling guys from the back of the bus to stand in left field.

Big Stat Watch: Luis Prieto now has 5 wins and 15 saves. He is on pace for a historic season out of the bullpen. If the offense doesn't wake up soon, he's going to lead the team in wins!

01-04-2026, 05:03 PM	#133
liberty-ca Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 290	BNN SERIES RECAP — JUNE 8–11, 1989 DEMON SLAYERS: PRAYERS GRIND OUT SERIES WIN IN SAN JOSE By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle SAN JOSE, CA — It wasn't always pretty, and it certainly wasn't a hit-parade, but the Sacramento Prayers (46-20) continue to find ways to win. Prayers arrived in San Jose carrying momentum, rotation depth, and the quiet confidence of a first-place club that had learned how to win games in more than one way. They left having taken three of four, navigating tight margins, extra innings, and one abrupt stumble — the kind of road series that tests contenders without derailing them. Despite scoring only eight runs across four games, Sacramento’s "Steel Curtain" pitching staff held the San Jose Demons to just ten total runs, securing a 3-1 series victory and extending their divisional lead to a double-digit 10.0 games. The Prayers are now the first team in the league to reach 46 wins, though the grueling schedule is beginning to take a visible toll on the roster’s health. ★ ★ ★ THURSDAY, JUNE 8 — PRAYERS 4, DEMONS 2 Gray Steady, Musco Clutch, Sacramento Opens the Set with a Win Russ Gray doesn’t overpower hitters. He doesn’t intimidate them. He just beats them. The right‑hander delivered another quietly excellent outing — 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 0 BB — and the Prayers did just enough offensively to secure the opener. San Jose struck first on a first-inning home run by Pedro Bocanegra, and for a moment it looked like the Demons might ride the crowd’s early energy. They didn’t. Russ Gray settled immediately, pitching with economy and calm. Over seven innings, he allowed two runs on seven hits, walked nobody, and let the defense work behind him. It wasn’t flashy, but it was firm — the kind of start that gives a visiting team its footing. The turning point came in the second. Back-to-back doubles from Sam Strauss and Luis Martinez flipped the game. Martinez’s RBI double — his seventh of the year — gave Sacramento a lead it would not surrender. “We’ll take some time to unwind,” Martinez said afterward, “and then get after it again.” The big swing came from Edwin Musco, who launched a solo shot in the eighth to give Sacramento breathing room. San Jose threatened late, but Ricky Gaias and Luis Prieto slammed the door. Key notes: - Gray improves to 6–1, 2.16 ERA - Musco hits HR #13 - Hicks steals his 11th base ★ ★ ★ FRIDAY, JUNE 9 — PRAYERS 2, DEMONS 1 Salazar Dominates, Valadez Delivers the Big Blow This was vintage Fernando Salazar — the version Sacramento dreamed of when they acquired him. He was ruthless, efficient, and completely in control. In a ballpark that rewards mistakes, Salazar made almost none: 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 2 BB The Demons managed only one run — a solo shot by J. Reese — and never mounted a serious threat. The Prayers’ offense didn’t do much, but it didn’t need to. In the ninth, with Sacramento trailing 1–0, with two outs and a runner aboard, Andres Valadez turned on a fastball and sent it over the wall in left field, crushing a two‑run homer off G. Strander, flipping the game on its head and sending the Prayers to their 45th win. Ricky Gaias stepped in for the save, silencing the San Jose crowd. Key notes: - Salazar improves to 7–2, 2.73 ERA - Valadez hits HR #4 - Prieto earns save #16 ★ ★ ★ SATURDAY, JUNE 10 — DEMONS 6, PRAYERS 0 Liu Shuts Down Sacramento; Rubalcava Tagged in Rare Off Night Saturday was the outlier — and it arrived without warning. Every great team gets punched in the mouth occasionally, and even the best have bad days. This was Sacramento’s punch. San Jose’s Luo‑lang Liu was brilliant — 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K — and the Demons’ bullpen finished the job. Sacramento never threatened, never found rhythm, and never solved Liu’s mix of cutters and changeups. Jordan Rubalcava, who has been nearly untouchable all season, finally cracked. A three‑run homer by Ryan Parks in the sixth broke the game open, and the Demons cruised. It was Sacramento’s first shutout loss since April. Key notes: - Rubalcava falls to 7–3, 2.05 ERA - Sacramento held to six singles - Demons snap the Prayers’ momentum ★ ★ ★ SUNDAY, JUNE 11 — PRAYERS 2, DEMONS 1 (11 INNINGS) Larson Brilliant, Prieto Heroic, Martinez Wins It in Extras This was the kind of game Sacramento wins because they’re Sacramento. In a four-hour endurance test, Robby Larson threw seven innings of three-hit ball, but received no run support. Larson was magnificent: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 3 BB. He matched San Jose pitch for pitch, inning for inning, and kept the Prayers alive long enough for the late‑inning magic to return. The game stayed tied 1–1 into the 11th, when Sam Strauss doubled to lead off, and Luis Martinez flew out deep enough to center to score the go-ahead run. Luis Prieto (5-4) was phenomenal in relief, striking out five over three scoreless innings to vulturing the win. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t clean. But it was a Sacramento win. “I put my work in and trusted the process,” Larson said. The team did the rest. Key notes: - Larson: 7 IP, 1 ER, ERA now 2.36 - Prieto: 3 IP, 5 K, earns win #5 - Perez homers (HR #3) ★ ★ ★ SERIES TAKEAWAYS 1. The Rotation Remains the Best in Baseball Across the four games: - Gray: 7 IP, 2 ER - Salazar: 8 IP, 1 ER - Rubalcava: 6 IP, 6 ER (rare off night) - Larson: 7 IP, 1 ER Combined: 28 IP, 10 ER (3.21 ERA) And that includes Rubalcava’s worst start of the year. 2. The Offense Is Still a Roller Coaster Runs scored in the series: 4; 2; 0; 2 . They’re winning with pitching, defense, and just enough timely hitting. But the lack of consistent power remains the one thing keeping Sacramento from looking truly unstoppable. 3. Luis Martinez Is Quietly Becoming a Clutch Player Luis Martinez (SS): hit .214 for the series but provided the go-ahead RBI in both Game 1 and Game 4. When the game is on the line, the kid doesn't blink. 4. Prieto Is Back to Being a Weapon In the series: - 4 IP, 0 R, 5 K, 0 BB - Save #15 - Win #5 After a shaky April, he’s now one of the most reliable closers in the league. 5. Sacramento Hits the Road Again Next up: Prayers travel to Fort Worth to take on the Spirits (30-37) starting Tuesday, then the massive showdown with Boston looms large. The Prayers are 46–20, 10 games up in the AL West, and still playing like the class of the league. ★ ★ ★ Gemmy’s Take: Survival Mode We are officially in the "dog days" of June. Look at those scores: 4-2, 2-1, 0-6, 2-1. Our pitching is the only reason we aren't in a tailspin right now. Jordan Rubalcava finally looked human on Saturday, but he’s still sporting a 2.05 ERA, so let’s not panic. The real concern is the clubhouse pharmacy. Edwin Musco is battling a nasty cold (Day-to-Day), and with Camden Liston and Eli Murguia both on the shelf, the outfield is looking thin. Robby Aguirre made his season debut this weekend — we’re literally pulling guys from the back of the bus to stand in left field. Big Stat Watch: Luis Prieto now has 5 wins and 15 saves. He is on pace for a historic season out of the bullpen. If the offense doesn't wake up soon, he's going to lead the team in wins!