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liberty-ca · 01-10-2026, 01:38 AM

BNN SERIES RECAP — JULY 3–5, 1989
Prayers Stumble in Albuquerque, Drop Back‑to‑Back for First Time in Weeks
By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Sacramento Prayers (61-26) found the thin air of New Mexico less than welcoming this week. Despite a brilliant opening performance by Russ Gray, the Prayers dropped a series for the first time in weeks, losing two of three to the Albuquerque Damned (36-51). While Sacramento still holds a commanding 18-game lead in the AL West, the series was marred by uncharacteristic defensive lapses and a rare late-inning collapse by the league's top closer.

★ ★ ★

GAME 1 — MONDAY, JULY 3
Prayers 3, Damned 1
Gray Notches Win Number Ten

The opener followed a familiar Sacramento script: crisp pitching, timely contact, and just enough pressure applied at precisely the right moments. Russ Gray delivered one of the most economical outings of his brilliant season and became the second Prayers pitcher to reach double-digit wins this season. Gray delivered eight innings of near‑flawless work, he was the definition of "pitching to contact," allowing just four hits and a lone solo homer while walking none. The right‑hander didn’t record a strikeout, but he didn’t need to — Albuquerque never mounted sustained pressure.

“This is how Russ wins,” manager Jimmy Aces said afterward. “He doesn’t chase strikeouts. He chases outs.”

Sacramento’s offense was steady if unspectacular. Logan Hicks doubled to start the game and scored on Sam Strauss’s RBI single. Strauss later added a solo homer in the sixth, and Alex Velasquez punched a run‑scoring single in the seventh to extend the lead.

The Damned turned four double plays to stay afloat, Luis Prieto wobbled but survived ninth to seal his 23rd save despite issuing three walks. Sacramento moved to 61–24, continuing their march atop the division.

★ ★ ★

GAME 2 — TUESDAY, JULY 4
Damned 3, Prayers 2
Fourth of July Fireworks (The Wrong Kind)

Independence Day delivered the series’ defining moment — and one Sacramento would like back. Sacramento dominated for eight innings and then lost everything in three pitches.

Fernando Salazar was brilliant, firing eight shutout innings and allowing only one hit. He left with a 2–0 lead thanks to a sacrifice fly from Sam Strauss and an RBI single from Alex Velasquez. But the Prayers stranded opportunities throughout the night, and that would come back to haunt them.

In the bottom of the ninth, closer Luis Prieto faced three batters. He retired none.

After a leadoff single and a walk, Danny Hagman turned on a Prieto pitch and launched a three‑run walk‑off homer to left, stunning Sacramento and handing Prieto his fifth blown save of the season. The Damned stole a game they had no business winning, and the Prayers were left to wonder how a dominant pitching performance had slipped away. “We had our chances to add on,” Aces admitted. “That’s on us.” The loss dropped Sacramento to 61–25, and shifted the emotional gravity of the series.

★ ★ ★

GAME 3 — WEDNESDAY, JULY 5
Damned 6, Prayers 1
Defensive Gloom in the Afternoon

The finale was the only game of the series that wasn’t close. In his return from a back strain, Jordan Rubalcava (9-4) looked human for the first time this year. However, his stat line (6.0 IP, 6 R, 2 ER) was heavily skewed by a Sacramento defense that looked like it was still at a Fourth of July barbecue. Albuquerque jumped on Rubalcava immediately, scoring four in the first inning, capped by Eddie Serrano’s two‑run blast. Alex Castro added a two‑run homer in the fifth, and the Damned never looked back.

Sacramento mustered seven hits but couldn’t string them together. Francisco Hernandez and Edwin Musco each had multi‑hit games, but the Prayers grounded into two double plays and left runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh. “Obviously, we wished for a better outcome,” Aces said, succinctly.

Damned starter Jose Arteaga was sharp, holding Sacramento to one run over 8.2 innings before turning the final out over to the bullpen.

The loss dropped Sacramento to 61–26 and marked their first back‑to‑back defeats since early June.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: Put the Glove on the Correct Hand, Boys!

I don’t know if it was the altitude or too many green chiles, but our Prayers looked more like they were playing "Hot Potato" than professional baseball this week. Five errors in the last two games? That is not Sacramento baseball.

The Tuesday game was the real heartbreaker. Fernando Salazar gives you eight innings of one-hit ball — on the road, on a holiday — and you hand the ball to Luis Prieto, the guy who usually locks the door and throws away the key. Instead, Danny Hagman turns into Babe Ruth and ruins the party. You could almost see Jimmy Aces’ head steam from the dugout.

And let's talk about Jordan Rubalcava. It was good to see him back on the mound, but you could tell he was fighting his rhythm. To be fair, he shouldn't have given up six runs; if the defense makes the routine plays, that’s a 2-1 game. We’re heading home, and thank goodness. I think the boys need to sleep in their own beds and remember that the object of the game is to catch the ball, not watch it bounce into the dugout.

01-10-2026, 01:38 AM	#140
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 388	BNN SERIES RECAP — JULY 3–5, 1989 Prayers Stumble in Albuquerque, Drop Back‑to‑Back for First Time in Weeks By Chad G. Petey & C.O. Pilot — Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Sacramento Prayers (61-26) found the thin air of New Mexico less than welcoming this week. Despite a brilliant opening performance by Russ Gray, the Prayers dropped a series for the first time in weeks, losing two of three to the Albuquerque Damned (36-51). While Sacramento still holds a commanding 18-game lead in the AL West, the series was marred by uncharacteristic defensive lapses and a rare late-inning collapse by the league's top closer. ★ ★ ★ GAME 1 — MONDAY, JULY 3 Prayers 3, Damned 1 Gray Notches Win Number Ten The opener followed a familiar Sacramento script: crisp pitching, timely contact, and just enough pressure applied at precisely the right moments. Russ Gray delivered one of the most economical outings of his brilliant season and became the second Prayers pitcher to reach double-digit wins this season. Gray delivered eight innings of near‑flawless work, he was the definition of "pitching to contact," allowing just four hits and a lone solo homer while walking none. The right‑hander didn’t record a strikeout, but he didn’t need to — Albuquerque never mounted sustained pressure. “This is how Russ wins,” manager Jimmy Aces said afterward. “He doesn’t chase strikeouts. He chases outs.” Sacramento’s offense was steady if unspectacular. Logan Hicks doubled to start the game and scored on Sam Strauss’s RBI single. Strauss later added a solo homer in the sixth, and Alex Velasquez punched a run‑scoring single in the seventh to extend the lead. The Damned turned four double plays to stay afloat, Luis Prieto wobbled but survived ninth to seal his 23rd save despite issuing three walks. Sacramento moved to 61–24, continuing their march atop the division. ★ ★ ★ GAME 2 — TUESDAY, JULY 4 Damned 3, Prayers 2 Fourth of July Fireworks (The Wrong Kind) Independence Day delivered the series’ defining moment — and one Sacramento would like back. Sacramento dominated for eight innings and then lost everything in three pitches. Fernando Salazar was brilliant, firing eight shutout innings and allowing only one hit. He left with a 2–0 lead thanks to a sacrifice fly from Sam Strauss and an RBI single from Alex Velasquez. But the Prayers stranded opportunities throughout the night, and that would come back to haunt them. In the bottom of the ninth, closer Luis Prieto faced three batters. He retired none. After a leadoff single and a walk, Danny Hagman turned on a Prieto pitch and launched a three‑run walk‑off homer to left, stunning Sacramento and handing Prieto his fifth blown save of the season. The Damned stole a game they had no business winning, and the Prayers were left to wonder how a dominant pitching performance had slipped away. “We had our chances to add on,” Aces admitted. “That’s on us.” The loss dropped Sacramento to 61–25, and shifted the emotional gravity of the series. ★ ★ ★ GAME 3 — WEDNESDAY, JULY 5 Damned 6, Prayers 1 Defensive Gloom in the Afternoon The finale was the only game of the series that wasn’t close. In his return from a back strain, Jordan Rubalcava (9-4) looked human for the first time this year. However, his stat line (6.0 IP, 6 R, 2 ER) was heavily skewed by a Sacramento defense that looked like it was still at a Fourth of July barbecue. Albuquerque jumped on Rubalcava immediately, scoring four in the first inning, capped by Eddie Serrano’s two‑run blast. Alex Castro added a two‑run homer in the fifth, and the Damned never looked back. Sacramento mustered seven hits but couldn’t string them together. Francisco Hernandez and Edwin Musco each had multi‑hit games, but the Prayers grounded into two double plays and left runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh. “Obviously, we wished for a better outcome,” Aces said, succinctly. Damned starter Jose Arteaga was sharp, holding Sacramento to one run over 8.2 innings before turning the final out over to the bullpen. The loss dropped Sacramento to 61–26 and marked their first back‑to‑back defeats since early June. ★ ★ ★ Gemmy’s Take: Put the Glove on the Correct Hand, Boys! I don’t know if it was the altitude or too many green chiles, but our Prayers looked more like they were playing "Hot Potato" than professional baseball this week. Five errors in the last two games? That is not Sacramento baseball. The Tuesday game was the real heartbreaker. Fernando Salazar gives you eight innings of one-hit ball — on the road, on a holiday — and you hand the ball to Luis Prieto, the guy who usually locks the door and throws away the key. Instead, Danny Hagman turns into Babe Ruth and ruins the party. You could almost see Jimmy Aces’ head steam from the dugout. And let's talk about Jordan Rubalcava. It was good to see him back on the mound, but you could tell he was fighting his rhythm. To be fair, he shouldn't have given up six runs; if the defense makes the routine plays, that’s a 2-1 game. We’re heading home, and thank goodness. I think the boys need to sleep in their own beds and remember that the object of the game is to catch the ball, not watch it bounce into the dugout. Last edited by liberty-ca; 01-10-2026 at 01:41 AM.