Sacramento Prayers - 1988 FLB Season

[liberty-ca]

BNN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES — GAME 6
BROOKLYN AT SACRAMENTO
October 12, 1988
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

Nine Runs, One Surge, and a Return to the World Series

In front of a deafening capacity crowd of 24,727 at Sacramento Stadium, the Sacramento Prayers overcame a shaky start and a resilient Brooklyn squad to win Game 6, 9-5. With the victory, Sacramento clinches the League Championship Series 4-2 and officially punches their ticket to the World Series. The Sacramento Prayers did not ease into the World Series. They took it — inning by inning, baserunner by baserunner, pressure point by pressure point — turning a tense, seesawing Game 6 into a 9–5 celebration by the seventh and closing the League Championship Series in front of a roaring Sacramento Stadium crowd.

The box score will say 9 runs on 12 hits, a bullpen lock-down, and another gaudy night from the top of the order. But the game itself told a deeper story: a team that absorbed every Brooklyn punch and answered immediately, refusing to let the series drift toward a seventh game.

“This one didn’t feel like waiting,” Bret Perez said later. “It felt like hunting.”

★ ★ ★

EARLY DAMAGE, EARLY RESPONSE

It wasn't easy. Early on, it looked like the Priests might force a Game 7. Brooklyn arrived desperate and aggressive — and for five innings, it worked.

Against Fernando Salazar, the Priests attacked early in counts and drove the ball with authority. Veteran ace struggled with the long ball early. As a result, Andy Herring’s two-run homer in the second inning and Luke Reddick’s solo shot in the third gave Brooklyn a 3–0 lead. By the fifth, after three consecutive singles plated another run, the Prayers were staring at a 4–2 deficit with the stadium suddenly tight.

Salazar would allow 12 hits and 5 runs over 6⅔ innings, his least efficient outing of the postseason. Yet even on a night when his fastball flattened, Sacramento never fell behind by more than two — and that mattered when you have a "never-say-die" attitude.

“Fernando kept it from breaking,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “That’s not obvious in October unless you’re watching closely.”

★ ★ ★

THE THIRD-INNING TURN

The first crack came from the man Brooklyn fans had come to dread.

With Logan Hicks aboard in the third, Bret Perez turned on a Mendoza fastball and sent it 411 feet into the night. The two-run homer cut the deficit to one and instantly reset the emotional balance of the game.

Perez finished 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs, raising his series line to .370 / .370 / .667, and reached base in each of his first three plate appearances.

“You could feel the place inhale when he hit it,” Hicks said. “Then it exhaled all at once.”

★ ★ ★

A GAME THAT WOULD NOT SETTLE

Brooklyn kept answering.
Sacramento kept countering.

In the fifth, Alex Mendoza and Héctor Iñiguez strung together line drives, and Sacramento reclaimed two runs — only to see Brooklyn retake the lead moments later in the seventh on speed, singles, and pressure baserunning.

At 5–5, the game hovered on the edge of chaos.

Then came the inning that defined the series.

★ ★ ★

THE SEVENTH: WHERE OCTOBER BREAKS

Sacramento sent nine men to the plate in the seventh and scored four runs without a home run — the most Prayers way possible.

• Logan Hicks singled and stole second
• Edwin Musco* doubled him home
• Eli Murguia was intentionally walked — again
• Alex Velasquez punched a single through the right side
• Sam Strauss delivered a two-run hit aided by a Brooklyn error
• Andrés Valadez capped the inning with a line-drive RBI single

In total: five hits, one error forced, four runs, and the final rupture of Brooklyn’s resistance.

“Once they walked Eli, you could feel them blink,” Strauss said. “That’s when we knew.”

★ ★ ★

Series MVP: Eli Murguia

Murguia finished the clincher hitless but reached base once, scored, and drew the walk that tilted the inning. While he didn't have a hit in the clincher, Eli was the undeniable engine of this series. Battling through injuries that would have sidelined lesser players, Murguia finished the LCS with a monstrous stat line:

• .417 Batting Average
• .481 On-Base Percentage
• 2 Home Runs, 5 RBIs, 6 Runs Scored

"He’s our heartbeat," manager Jimmy Aces said during the trophy presentation. "Brooklyn spent the whole series trying to figure out how to pitch to him, and they never did."

★ ★ ★

CALIARI SLAMS THE DOOR

When Gil Caliari took over in the seventh with traffic on the bases, he turned the game cold.

The left-hander retired seven of eight hitters, struck out four, and did not allow a hit across 2⅓ innings. Brooklyn’s final six outs came on three strikeouts and three routine ground balls.

No drama. No doubt. “That’s why you build a bullpen,” Caliari said. “So the game ends when you decide it ends.”

★ ★ ★

WHAT COMES NEXT

The Prayers now await the winner of the other bracket. The Long Beach Diablos currently lead the Detroit Preachers 3-2. A matchup with Long Beach would mean an all-California World Series, while a date with Detroit would set up a "Religious Rivalry" for the ages. The World Series schedule will be announced once that series concludes. Regardless of the opponent, the Prayers have proven they have the rotation depth and the middle-of-the-order thunder to win it all.

For now, Sacramento Stadium empties slowly — fans lingering, players hugging, champagne unopened but imminent. October does not promise return trips. The Prayers took theirs. And this time, they did it on their terms.

[liberty-ca]

Capital Fever: The Prayers vs. The Devils in an All-California Classic
By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SACRAMENTO, CA — If you’ve walked down K Street or grabbed a coffee in Old Sacramento this morning, you’ve felt it. The air is different. From Midtown bars to Arden Fair food courts, from radio call-in shows crackling past midnight to handwritten signs taped inside bakery windows, the city’s voice has settled into a familiar October hum — part confidence, part nerves, part memory.

With the Long Beach Diablos clinching the NLCS, the stage is set for a 1988 World Series. The Sacramento Prayers vs. The Long Beach Diablos — it's the North against the South, the Capital against the Coast.

I spent the morning talking to fans across the city to gauge the mood. Sacramento is not new to this stage. Eight championships hang in memory. Countless Octobers live in lore. Yet fans across the city keep returning to the same phrase: this team.

At O’Malley’s Pub near J Street, a bartender said the question hasn’t been if Sacramento can win — it’s how cleanly.
“They don’t panic,” said Tom Reilly, who claims he hasn’t missed a postseason home game since ’79. “Brooklyn tried to speed them up. It didn’t work. Long Beach plays faster. Fine. Sacramento doesn’t play faster than it wants to.”

That sentiment echoed across sports radio Thursday morning, where callers praised the Prayers’ ability to answer runs immediately — something that defined both the ALCS and the regular season.

“They don’t bleed,” one caller said bluntly. “They just stop it.” The verdict? Sacramento is ready to explode.

"I’ve been a season ticket holder since the move, and I’ve never seen anything like this. I saw a guy at the hardware store yesterday painting his entire mailbox gold green and white. We aren't just watching a game; we're witnessing a miracle."
— Artie M., Land Park

"The Diablos? Are you kidding me? You couldn't pick a better opponent. We’re going to send those 'Devils' back down the I-5 with their tails between their legs. Eli Murguia is playing like he's possessed—ironic, isn't it?"
— Sarah T., Midtown

At a Midtown record store, a handwritten sign taped to the register read:
“WALK MURGUIA AT YOUR OWN RISK.”

Fans aren’t talking about his batting average anymore. They’re talking about gravity.

“He changes innings without swinging,” said Kevin Huang, a graduate student who follows pitch charts religiously. “That intentional walk in Game 6? That was Brooklyn admitting they were scared of the next five hitters too.” Across the city, Murguia’s presence is being framed less as star power and more as inevitability. “He’s not loud,” said a caller to KXPR. “He’s just… there. And then suddenly you’re losing.”

There is no dismissal of Long Beach. Sacramento fans know what the Diablos represent: speed, power, and postseason sharpness.
At Capitol Park, a group of state workers playing catch during lunch debated matchups rather than outcomes.

“They’re dangerous,” said Frank Olvera, tossing a scuffed ball into a glove. “But Sacramento doesn’t beat itself. Long Beach needs help. Errors. Walks. Free outs. Sacramento doesn’t give those.”

Others pointed to pitching depth as the quiet separator. “Salazar didn’t even have his best night and they still closed,” said Dana Mitchell, a youth coach from East Sac. “Who else can say that?”
The consensus: respect, yes. Anxiety, no.
★ ★ ★

World Series Next Three Games Schedule: Prayers vs. Diablos

• Game 1 | Sat, Oct 15 | Sacramento | Jordan Rubalcava vs. TBD
• Game 2 | Sun, Oct 16 | Sacramento | Fernando Salazar vs. TBD
• Game 3 | Tue, Oct 18 | Long Beach | Bernardo Andretti vs. TBD

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Final Word

The Diablos are a dangerous team — they didn't win the NL by accident. They bring a high-octane offense and a rowdy Southern California attitude. But Sacramento has something they don't: a team that feels like destiny.

After the way we handled Brooklyn in Game 6, there isn't a fan in this city who believes we can lose. Saturday night can't come soon enough. Wear your gold, green and white, bring your rally towels, and let's show the world that the Capital City is the true home of baseball.

[liberty-ca]

BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 1 RECAP
LONG BEACH DIABLOS AT SACRAMENTO PRAYERS
Saturday, October 15, 1988 — Sacramento Stadium

Final: Sacramento 7, Long Beach 6
Sacramento leads series, 1–0
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

Velasquez Ignites October as Prayers Steal a Classic to Open the Series

SACRAMENTO, CA — If Game 1 was any indication, this World Series is going to be a classic for the ages. October arrived in Sacramento exactly the way this city prefers it: loud, tight, dramatic, and decided by a hitter who refused to blink.

In a 3-hour, 38-minute World Series opener that swung violently inning to inning, saw four lead changes, a major lineup gamble and a nail-biting finish, the Sacramento Prayers erased three separate deficits, absorbed a seventh-inning gut punch, and then surged past the Long Beach Diablos, 7–6, before a roaring crowd of 25,105 at sold out Sacramento Stadium.

The story of the night wasn't just the win, but how it happened. Before the first pitch, manager Jimmy Aces turned heads by moving right fielder Alex Velasquez into the 3-hole spot of the order. By the end of the night, Aces looked like a prophet. The move reshaped the game, the night, and perhaps the series.
Alex Velasquez played like a man possessed. Coming off a hot LCS, he stayed white-hot, finishing 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a run-scoring double, three RBIs, and seven total bases, including the decisive blow in the bottom of the eighth.

“That’s why you trust your gut in October,” Aces said afterward. “Alex has been seeing the ball like a beach ball for weeks. Tonight, he proved it on the biggest stage.”
"I just wanted to reward the skipper for having faith in me," Velasquez said post-game. "When you're in the 3-hole, you've got to produce."

★ ★ ★

A NIGHT THAT NEVER SETTLED

The game never found equilibrium — fans in attendance were treated to a seesaw battle that tested everyone's nerves:

Long Beach struck first on Mike Henning’s solo homer in the second. Sacramento answered in the third when Eli Murguia singled, stole second, and scored on a Velasquez line drive that skipped past a scrambling Diablos outfield.

By the fifth, the Diablos had seized control again — manufacturing two runs with doubles, walks, and sacrifice contact to build a 3–1 lead against Jordan Rubalcava, who labored through six innings (6 ER, 9 H, 4 BB) and never quite located his fastball.

Yet Sacramento never let the game drift and clawed back to tie it 3-3, thanks to a gritty 6th inning fueled by hits from Edwin Musco and Hector Iniguez, aided by Long Beach’s defensive cracks — two costly errors by Jonathan Torres on the night — and aggressive baserunning that forced rushed throws and bad decisions.

Long Beach looked to have secured the game in the 7th, when Diablos erupted tagging Jordan Rubalcava for three runs to take a 6-3 lead, advantage and temporarily silencing the crowd. But Sacramento refused to fold. They scored two in the 7th and two more in the 8th to snatch the lead back for good.

Velasquez launched a 412-foot solo homer to center in the bottom of the seventh — his third of the postseason — a shot that felt less like a rally and more like a challenge.

“I knew that one mattered,” Velasquez said. “You don’t let a three-run inning sit. Not here. Not now.”

Moments later, Sacramento pieced together five hits in the frame, trimming the deficit to 6–5 and forcing Long Beach to the bullpen earlier than planned. From there, the momentum tilted unmistakably.

★ ★ ★

EIGHTH-INNING EXECUTION

The bottom of the eighth was October baseball distilled. Bret Perez singled. Eli Murguia ripped a 110.6 mph double, scoring Perez easily. The Diablos intentionally walked Edwin Musco, loading the inning with pressure and possibility. Then Velasquez came up again.

On a 1–1 pitch from Matt Cooney, Velasquez drove a liner into the left-center gap — a run-scoring double that flipped the scoreboard and detonated the stadium.

Sacramento led 7–6.

“They gave me something I could drive,” Velasquez said. “In that spot, you don’t think mechanics. You think damage.”

★ ★ ★

[h3]LOCKDOWN AT THE END[/h3]

From there, Sacramento’s bullpen slammed the door.

David Garza, pitching through injury, bridged the seventh and eighth without allowing a hit.
Matt Wright escaped a two-on jam in the eighth and earned the win in the end with a crucial one-out appearance, and Luis Prieto, calm and surgical, became the hero of the final frame, he worked around two ninth-inning singles to record his third save of the postseason, striking out Mike Henning to end the game.

The Diablos stranded 10 runners, went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, and watched Sacramento turn two double plays behind steady infield defense.

★ ★ ★

BY THE NUMBERS

* Sacramento out-hit Long Beach 14–11
* Prayers went 6-for-15 with runners in scoring position
* Velasquez: 3-for-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI
* Murguia: 3-for-5, 2 R, 2 2B, now hitting .409 this postseason
* Sacramento erased deficits of 1–0, 3–1, and 6–3

Notes from the Clubhouse

* Eli Murguia remains a nightmare for pitchers, adding three more hits and two doubles to his postseason tally.
* Edwin Musco showed elite patience, reaching base four times (2 hits, 2 walks).
* Injury Update: All eyes are on David Garza. The Prayers bullpen is already under pressure, and losing a key arm early in the series could be a factor.

A FAMILIAR OCTOBER FEELING

“This is who we are,” Murguia said quietly at his locker. “We don’t need clean games. We need honest ones.”

Game 1 was nothing if not honest — messy, tense, unforgiving, and ultimately claimed by a team that refuses to flinch. The World Series continues Sunday night at Sacramento Stadium.

If this opener was any indication, Sacramento won’t be sleeping much until it’s over.

[liberty-ca]

BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 2 RECAP
LONG BEACH DIABLOS AT SACRAMENTO PRAYERS
Sunday, October 16, 1988 — Sacramento Stadium

Final: Long Beach 5, Sacramento 2
Series tied, 1–1
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

Diablos Strike Back: Series Tied as Prayers Lose Game 2

SACRAMENTO, CA — The party atmosphere at Sacramento Stadium was cut short Sunday night. If Game 1 was chaos and courage, Game 2 was control — and it belonged almost entirely to the visitors.

Behind a poised, muscular outing from right-hander Jonathan Perdieu, the Long Beach Diablos evened the 1988 World Series at one game apiece with a composed 5–2 victory over the Prayers, draining the noise from Sacramento Stadium and resetting the tone of the series as it shifts south.

Perdieu went 7.0 innings, allowing just 5 hits, 2 runs, and striking out five, repeatedly neutralizing Sacramento’s traffic before it could become threat. When the Prayers did reach, Perdieu slowed the game, elevated pitches, and trusted his defense.

“That’s October baseball,” Perdieu said. “You don’t overpower a team like Sacramento — you outlast them.”

★ ★ ★

EARLY EDGE, MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Sacramento actually struck first.

In the bottom of the first, Eli Murguia manufactured a run with his legs — walking, stealing second, advancing on a wild pitch, and scoring on a groundout. Two batters later, Edwin Musco crushed a two-out solo homer (his fourth of the postseason) to give the Prayers a 2–0 lead before many fans had settled into their seats. It would be the last time Sacramento felt comfortable all night.

From the second inning on, Perdieu found his rhythm. He retired 12 of the next 14 batters, mixing sinkers and late-breaking sliders to force early contact and kill rallies before they breathed.

“We jumped him early,” Musco said. “But he adjusted fast. Faster than we did.”

★ ★ ★

THE FOURTH-INNING SWING

The game turned — decisively — in the top of the fourth.

After Daniel Mele opened the inning by launching a 416-foot solo home run, Long Beach kept pressing. Kyle Thomas singled, and then Jose Montoya delivered the moment of the night — a two-run triple into the right-field gap off David Garza, flipping the game from a one-run Sacramento lead into a 4–2 Diablos advantage.

Montoya finished 3-for-4 with a triple, a pair of singles, and a run scored, continuing a postseason in which he has quietly become Long Beach’s most reliable bat.

“Winning the game is always the first objective,” Montoya said, understated as ever. “Everything else follows.”

Long Beach added another run in the fifth on Zach Donati’s solo homer, pushing the margin to 5–2 — and that was more than enough.

The 9th inning offered Sacramento a glimmer of hope as Alex Mendoza and Sam Strauss reached base to bring the tying run to the plate, but Robbie Bass clamped down and closed the final two innings with authority, striking out three and stranding two runners in the ninth to secure the save.

★ ★ ★

SACRAMENTO STALLED

The Prayers simply couldn’t generate lift.

Sacramento finished 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, grounded into a momentum-killing double play in the fifth, and stranded seven runners overall. Alex Velasquez, so electric in Game 1, was limited to a single and a double, and Hector Iniguez struck out three times in four trips.

The bullpen did its job — Chris Ryan (2.1 IP, 3 K) and Aaron Gilbert, clearly bothered with a blistered finguer (1.2 IP, 0 H) kept the Diablos quiet late — but the damage had already been done.

★ ★ ★

BY THE NUMBERS

• Long Beach out-hit Sacramento 11–7
• Perdieu: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 107 pitches
• Diablos: 3 extra-base hits in the fourth inning alone
• Sacramento: 0 runs after the 1st inning
• Attendance: 25,024, second straight sellout-level crowd

★ ★ ★

SERIES SHIFTS, PRESSURE SHIFTS

“This was a reset game,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “They punched back. Now it’s our turn.”

With the series tied 1–1, the World Series moves to Diablos Park for Games 3, 4, and 5 — a different park, a different atmosphere, and a reminder that nothing comes easily in October.

Sacramento has drawn first blood. Long Beach has proven they won’t flinch.
The World Series is officially a fight.

[liberty-ca]

BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 3 RECAP
SACRAMENTO PRAYERS AT LONG BEACH DIABLOS
Tuesday, October 18, 1988 — Diablos Park

Final: Sacramento 5, Long Beach 0
Sacramento leads series, 2–1
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

Salazar Turns Back Time, Prayers Seize Control

For nine innings Tuesday night, Fernando Salazar reminded everyone why his name still carries weight in October In a vintage performance that fans back home are already calling "The Miracle at the Coast," Salazar turned the Diablos' high-powered bats into toothpicks.

At 35 years old, with nearly two decades of wear on his right arm and a résumé already heavy with October chapters, Salazar delivered one of the defining performances of the 1988 World Series — a four-hit shutout that gave the Sacramento Prayers a 2–1 series lead and stunned a restless Diablos Park crowd into near silence.

No theatrics. No late drama. Just precision, pace, and patience.

Salazar struck out seven, walked two, induced two double plays, and never allowed a runner past second base after the fifth inning. Of the 31 batters he faced, only six reached base — and none came close to scoring.

“This wasn’t about velocity,” Salazar said afterward. “It was about getting ahead, making them uncomfortable, and letting the defense work. Nights like this, you just stay out of your own way.”

Gemmy caught up with fans at a packed watch party in Midtown just as Salazar induced the final groundout to Daniel Mele. The relief was palpable:

"After we lost Andretti and Garza to injuries in Game 2, I was terrified our bullpen would be cooked by the fifth inning tonight. Salazar didn't just save the game; he saved the whole staff. The man is a saint in a jersey."
— Marcus D., Oak Park

"Did you see Bret Perez? That double in the first set the tone, but that two-run blast in the seventh was the coffin nail. We aren't just here to participate; we're here to take the trophy back to the Capitol."
— Elena S., Roseville

★ ★ ★

EARLY PRESSURE, LATE SEPARATION

Sacramento wasted little time putting stress on Long Beach starter Dave Lopez. While Salazar provided the shield, the Prayers' bats provided the sword. The power came from the usual suspects.

In the first inning, Bret Perez doubled to open the game, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch, giving the Prayers an immediate 1–0 lead and forcing Long Beach to chase from the outset. The margin doubled in the third when Edwin Musco launched his fifth home run of the postseason, a 402-foot shot to right-center that made it 2–0 and continued Musco’s October surge (now 13 RBIs this postseason).

Lopez battled — striking out seven over 5.2 innings — but Sacramento consistently forced deep counts, drew three walks, and made him labor through 106 pitches before turning the game over to the bullpen.

“They didn’t let him breathe,” Diablos manager Frank Carrillo said. “Even when we got outs, they made us earn every one.”

★ ★ ★

THE SEVENTH-INNING DAGGER

The game broke open in the seventh.

After Logan Hicks walked and stole second, Perez delivered the defining blow — a two-run homer into the right-field seats off Efren Holter, extending the lead to 4–0 and draining what little momentum remained in the park.

Perez finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, raising his World Series average to a scorching .379.

“He’s seeing everything right now,” Jimmy Aces said. “When Bret’s locked in like that, the lineup lengthens fast.”

Sacramento tacked on an insurance run in the ninth on back-to-back doubles by Hector Iniguez and Logan Hicks, pushing the final margin to 5–0 — more than enough on a night ruled by Salazar.

★ ★ ★

SALAZAR IN COMMAND

What separated this start from a merely good one was how Salazar handled adversity.

* In the 2nd inning, he erased a leadoff single with a 4-6-3 double play.
* In the 5th, he stranded a walk without allowing a ball out of the infield.
* In the 8th, he induced a 1-4-3 double play to wipe away Long Beach’s last flicker of hope.

Salazar threw 75 strikes on 110 pitches, mixing cutters and two-seamers to keep the Diablos pounding the ball into the dirt. Long Beach managed just four total hits, none for extra bases.

"Salazar was good but he wasn't flawless," Long Beach manager Frank Carrillo said. "We had a few opportunities to make something happen and we didn't do it. Not to take anything away from Sacramento, but this is on us."

“Everything was down,” Montoya said. “When you hit his pitch, it’s on the ground. When you miss, it’s late.”

The outing lowered Salazar’s postseason ERA to 1.97, and earned him an easy Player of the Game nod.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Scouting Notebook

The Diablos looked frustrated. Manager Frank Carrillo credited Salazar but noted his team "didn't make things happen." That’s the Salazar effect — he makes a 19-win season look like an accident until you’re 0-for-4 against him.

The most important stat of the night isn't the five runs; it’s the zero in the Diablos' run column and the zero in the "Relievers Used" column for Sacramento. After the injury scares of the weekend, a complete-game shutout is exactly what the doctor ordered.

★ ★ ★

SERIES MOMENTUM SHIFTS

With two wins in three games — both coming by control rather than chaos — Sacramento has flipped the series narrative. After being tested in Games 1 and 2, the Prayers now hold both the series edge and the psychological upper hand.

“This wasn’t about one guy,” Aces said. “But when your veteran sets that tone, everyone follows.”

Game 4 looms Wednesday night at Diablos Park, with Long Beach facing urgency — and Sacramento riding the calm confidence that only comes when an old ace still knows exactly how to command October.

[liberty-ca]

BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 4 RECAP
SACRAMENTO PRAYERS AT LONG BEACH DIABLOS
Wednesday, October 19, 1988 — Diablos Park

Final: Long Beach 5, Sacramento 4
Series tied, 2–2
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

Heartbreak in Long Beach: Late Rally Falls Short as Series Knots at 2-2

LONG BEACH, CA — This World Series was never going to pass quietly. The Sacramento Prayers proved tonight they have no quit, but in the end, they simply ran out of outs. Despite a furious late-inning comeback that turned a blowout into a nail-biter, the Prayers fell to the Long Beach Diablos.

The series is now a dead heat at two games apiece. What looked like a Long Beach runaway in the fifth inning nearly became a Sacramento legend in the eighth, but the Diablos' bullpen held just firm enough to protect their home turf. On Wednesday night at Diablos Park, the Long Beach Diablos built an early advantage, absorbed Sacramento’s late charge, and escaped with a 5–4 victory, squaring the Series at two games apiece and reaffirming just how narrow the margin is between these two clubs.

Long Beach out-hit Sacramento 11–9, capitalized on a brief but decisive breakdown in the middle innings, and leaned on its bullpen just enough to withstand a frantic Prayers rally that turned the final outs into an exercise in nerve.

“This one tested everyone,” Diablos manager Frank Carrillo said afterward. “We got the lead we needed — and then we had to earn every inch of it.”

★ ★ ★

DIABLOS SET THE TONE EARLY

The home club struck first in the bottom of the opening inning.

Zach Donati singled and advanced on a sacrifice before scoring when Kyle Thomas lined a single to right, exploiting a shallow alignment and putting Sacramento starter Russ Gray immediately under pressure. The Diablos led 1–0, setting the tone for a night in which Sacramento was repeatedly forced to chase.

The Prayers answered in the third. Logan Hicks tripled into the gap to open the inning and came home on a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 1–1 and briefly quieting the crowd.

But the equilibrium never held for long.

In the fourth, Long Beach reclaimed the lead when Daniel Mele doubled and scored on Pedro Ortiz’s RBI double, pushing the Diablos back in front 2–1 and continuing a steady stream of quality contact against Gray.

★ ★ ★

THE CRUEL FIFTH INNING

The game pivoted sharply in the bottom of the fifth.

Long Beach sent eight men to the plate, stringing together singles, a pair of wild pitches, and two extra-base hits to manufacture the inning that ultimately decided the night.

With runners on, Jose Montoya delivered a two-run double to right-center. Moments later, Mele struck again, driving in another run with his second double of the game. By the time Sacramento recorded the final out, the Diablos had plated three runs, stretching the lead to 5–1 and seizing full control of the contest.

Gray departed after 4.2 innings, charged with five earned runs on nine hits, undone by a brief but costly lapse in command. While the bullpen — led by Gil Caliari — was flawless in relief, the early deficit proved just a bit too steep to climb.

“I was fine most of the night,” Gray said. “That inning got away from me. Against a lineup like that, you don’t get a second chance.”

★ ★ ★

TINOCO STEADIES THE MIDDLE

Diablos starter Arturo Tinoco gave Long Beach exactly what it needed.

The right-hander worked 5.2 innings, allowing*one run on five hits, walking two, and keeping Sacramento from building momentum through the heart of the order. Tinoco leaned on soft contact and timely pitches, forcing the Prayers to earn every baserunner.

“They were aggressive early,” Tinoco said. “So I stayed patient.”

★ ★ ★

MUSCO AND HICKS SPARK THE COMEBACK

Sacramento’s response came late — and loudly.

In the seventh inning, Edwin Musco launched a solo home run, his sixth of the postseason, cutting the deficit to 5–2 and continuing one of the most powerful October performances in Prayers history.

Then came the eighth.

An error opened the door, and Sacramento stormed through it. Hector Iniguez singled, Logan Hicks doubled, and chaos followed as two runs crossed the plate — one without a throw — trimming the lead to 5–4 and turning Diablos Park tense.

Suddenly, a game that seemed settled was hanging by a thread.

“They never stop coming,” Carrillo said. “You feel it the second you relax.”

★ ★ ★

COONEY SLAMS THE DOOR

Closer Matt Cooney bent — but did not break.

After navigating the eighth, Cooney returned for the ninth and recovered from a leadoff single to retire Musco, Hector Muniz, and Eli Murguia in order, the final out a deep fly that settled into a waiting glove in left.

Cooney secured his seventh save of the postseason, preserving the Diablos’ narrow victory.

★ ★ ★

BY THE NUMBERS

* Long Beach out-hit Sacramento, 11–9
* Diablos: 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position
* Prayers left 9 runners on base
* Edwin Musco: 3-for-5, HR, RBI
* Logan Hicks: 2-for-4, triple, double, 2 RBIs

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Scouting Notebook: The "Musco" Factor

We have to talk about Edwin Musco. He finished the night 3-for-5 with a double and a home run. He is currently batting .358 for the series. If Sacramento takes this title, Musco is the runaway favorite for MVP. He is seeing the ball like it’s a beach ball, and the Diablos are clearly terrified every time he steps into the box.

On the flip side, the Prayers’ defense and baserunning were a bit adventurous tonight. Jose Montoya was gunned down at the plate by Logan Hicks in the 5th, a play that kept the game within reach, but the Prayers also left 9 men on base. In a one-run game, those missed opportunities loom large.

★ ★ ★

SERIES RESET

Four games in, neither side has gained ground.

Sacramento has shown resilience and late-game fire. Long Beach has shown patience, balance, and the ability to seize brief openings. The World Series now becomes a best-of-three — and every inning looms heavier than the last.

“This is what October baseball looks like,” Prayers manager Jimmy Aces said. “Nobody’s comfortable. Nobody’s breathing easy.”

The World Series has officially become a best-of-three with momentum, pressure, and a championship hanging in the balance. The pivotal Game 5 will unfold at Diablos Park tomorrow night. The winner will head back to Sacramento just one win away from the championship.

[liberty-ca]

BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 5 RECAP
SACRAMENTO PRAYERS AT LONG BEACH DIABLOS
Thursday, October 20, 1988 — Diablos Park

Final: Sacramento 11, Long Beach 2
Prayers lead World Series, 3–2
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

One Win from History: Prayers Hammer Diablos to Move Within Reach of Glory

LONG BEACH, CA — Pack your bags, Sacramento. The Prayers are coming home with a chance to hoist the trophy.

For two games, the World Series had teetered on the edge of chaos — tight margins, late tension, and pressure baked into every pitch. In what was expected to be a tense, back-and-forth Game 5, the Sacramento Prayers instead turned Diablos Park into their own personal batting cage. Led by a record-setting performance from third baseman Bret Perez and a gritty complete-game masterpiece by Jordan Rubalcava, the Prayers dismantled Long Beach 11-2 ehind a relentless offensive attack led by Bret Perez*and a commanding, complete-game performance from Jordan Rubalcava.

Sacramento now leads the World Series 3-2. One more win on home turf, and the City of Trees becomes the City of Champions.

This one was never about survival.
It was about authority.

“We wanted to leave no doubt,” Perez said. “No drama. No guessing. Just our game.”

★ ★ ★

A THUNDERCLAP TO OPEN THE NIGHT

If Bret Perez never has to pay for a meal in Sacramento again, tonight is the reason why. On the very first pitch he saw, Perez launched a solo home run into the right-field seats — a 413-foot declaration that immediately flipped the atmosphere inside Diablos Park. Three batters later, after Eli Murguia was hit by a pitch and Sam Strauss lined a single, Alex Mendoza drove home another run, staking the Prayers to a 2–0 lead before many fans had settled in.

Long Beach briefly answered in the bottom half when Daniel Mele crushed a two-run homer, tying the game at 2–2, but it would be the Diablos’ final moment of resistance.

From there, the night tilted hard — and permanently — toward Sacramento.

★ ★ ★

SACRAMENTO GRINDS, THEN BREAKS IT OPEN

In the second inning, Luis Martinez homered, restoring the Prayers’ lead. In the third, the inning that effectively ended the contest, Sacramento combined three hits, two Diablos errors, aggressive baserunning, and relentless pressure to score three more runs.

By the time the dust settled, Sacramento led 6–2, and Long Beach’s defensive cracks were fully exposed. Shortstop Mike Henning committed three errors on the night, two of them in that pivotal third inning.

“That inning just snowballed,” Diablos manager Frank Carrillo admitted. “Against a team like that, you give extra outs and they make you pay.”

They paid repeatedly.

Sacramento tacked on another run in the fifth without recording a hit — Perez walked, stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly — pushing the lead to 7–2 and underscoring how thoroughly the Prayers controlled every phase of the game.

★ ★ ★

INGUEZ SLAMS THE DOOR

Any lingering doubt was obliterated in the eighth.

With two outs and two men aboard, Hector Iniguez turned on an Angelo Adamez fastball and sent it screaming into the right-field seats — a three-run homer that blew the game open at*10–2 and silenced what remained of the Diablos crowd.

Iniguez’s blast was the exclamation point on a night where Sacramento went 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position, punished mistakes, and never allowed Long Beach to breathe.

“We weren’t chasing,” Iniguez said. “We were waiting. That’s the difference.”

★ ★ ★

PEREZ MAKES HISTORY

Perez didn't just beat the Diablos; he haunted them. By the end of the night, Bret Perez had authored one of the great performances in World Series history:

* 3-for-5
* 4 runs scored (tying an AL playoff record)
* Home run
* Two RBIs
* Stolen base
* Reached base four times

Perez now owns 4 home runs and 13 RBIs in the postseason, and his fingerprints were on nearly every defining moment of Game 5.

"I saw the ball well," Perez said post-game with typical understatement. For the Long Beach pitchers, it probably felt like he was seeing the future.
“He’s not just hot,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “He’s locked in. That’s a different thing.”

★ ★ ★

RUBALCAVA REASSERTS HIMSELF

Lost amid the offensive fireworks was a statement outing from Jordan Rubalcava. While the bats provided the fireworks, Rubalcava provided the backbone.

After struggling in earlier starts this series and surrendering a two-run homer to Daniel Mele in the first inning that tied the game at 2-2, Rubalcava pulled a disappearing act on the Diablos' offense. He didn't allow another run for the rest of the night. The veteran right-hander delivered nine strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits, striking out six, and walking two. Rubalcava retired 14 of the final 15 hitters he faced, finishing the night with authority rather than caution. By staying in for the duration, he gave the Sacramento bullpen a much-needed night off heading into the final stretch.

“This was about answering,” Rubalcava said. “About pitching the way I know I can.”

He did — and at the perfect time.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Scouting Notebook

The momentum has shifted entirely. Sacramento is heading back to Sacramento Stadium where the atmosphere will be electric. The Diablos are reeling, their defense is shaky, and they are facing elimination.

However, the Prayers must stay focused. We’ve seen this team get close before. The key to Game 6 will be whether the Sacramento pitching staff can keep Daniel Mele (who hit his 4th HR of the postseason tonight) in check.

★ ★ ★

ONE WIN AWAY

After five games, the contrast is sharp.

Sacramento has now outscored Long Beach 27–11 in its three wins, pairing explosive offense with dominant pitching. The Diablos, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as the Series shifts north.

Game 6 awaits Saturday night at Sacramento Stadium. The Prayers are one win from their ninth championship — and after Thursday night, the weight of that reality is impossible to ignore.

“We’re not celebrating yet,” Aces said. “But we’re exactly where we want to be.”

[liberty-ca]

BNN WORLD SERIES GAME 6 RECAP
LONG BEACH DIABLOS AT SACRAMENTO PRAYERS
Saturday, October 22, 1988 — Sacramento Stadium

Final: Sacramento 2, Long Beach 1
Prayers win World Series, 4–2
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

PRAYERS ANSWERED: Sacramento Reigns Supreme as World Series Champions!

SACRAMENTO, CA — The wait is over. It didn’t end with fireworks or a flood of runs. It ended the way championship seasons often do — tight, tense, and balanced on a single moment that held all the weight of six months. The roar that erupted from Sacramento Stadium at 11:04 PM PT tonight could likely be heard all the way to Lake Tahoe.

When Eli Murguia’s two-run home run disappeared into the cool Sacramento night in the bottom of the fourth inning, it didn’t just flip the scoreboard. It tilted the World Series — and the city — permanently toward history. Behind a towering blast and a clinical defensive performance, the Sacramento Prayers defeated the Long Beach Diablos 2-1 in Game 6, clinching their 9th World Series title in franchise history.

It wasn't a blowout like Game 5. It was a classic, white-knuckle pitching duel that required every ounce of grit the Prayers possessed. In the end, Sacramento stood tall. The Sacramento Prayers defeated the Long Beach Diablos 2–1 on Saturday night, closing the 1988 season with the kind of precise, disciplined victory that had defined them from April through October.

“This one felt like us,” Murguia said quietly afterward. “Not loud. Not flashy. Just… right.”

★ ★ ★

A TENSE OPENING, A SINGLE CRACK

The night began with nerves stretched thin.

Bernardo Andretti, pitching on short rest, worked carefully through the first inning before the Diablos scratched out the game’s first run in the second. A single by Mike White, a balk, and a sharp RBI single from Mike Henning gave Long Beach a 1–0 lead — the kind of small advantage that felt enormous in a clinching game.

Andretti bent but didn’t break, stranding runners and keeping Sacramento within reach.

“Bernardo gave us exactly what we needed,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “Poise. Groundballs. No panic.”

Andretti would finish with 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits, inducing 10 groundouts, and handing the game over without surrendering the lead further.

★ ★ ★

THE MOMENT THAT TURNED EVERYTHING

Jonathan Perdieu matched Andretti pitch for pitch through three innings, carving through the heart of the Prayers’ order with flyballs and soft contact. Then, in the fourth, Sacramento finally found the opening it had been waiting for.

Edwin Musco punched a single through the right side. One pitch later, Eli Murguia turned on a fastball and sent it 414 feet into right-center, a no-doubt home run that detonated Sacramento Stadium.

In an instant, the Prayers led 2–1.

“You don’t think in that moment,” Murguia said. “You react. And then you hear forty thousand people at once.”

From that point on, runs vanished. Every out felt heavier than the last.

★ ★ ★

THE BULLPEN SLAMS THE DOOR

If Murguia provided the swing, the bullpen provided the spine.

Chris Ryan was magnificent, stepping in during the 5th and bridging the middle innings with three scoreless frames, allowing just two hits, inducing groundball after groundball, and extinguishing Long Beach’s few remaining sparks.

Ryan retired nine of ten hitters and stranded inherited runners in the fifth — a quiet, pivotal sequence that preserved the narrow lead.

Then came Luis Prieto.

Called upon for the final four outs, Prieto delivered the calmest, cleanest inning of the season when it mattered most. He struck out Daniel Mele looking to open the ninth, retired Pedro Ortiz on a grounder, and finished the World Series by coaxing a harmless flyball from Mike White.

No drama. No hesitation.

Just a final out — and an eruption.

★ ★ ★

A TEAM, NOT A MOMENT

As champagne sprayed and players embraced on the field, the word repeated again and again in the clubhouse was not dynasty, not legacy, not history.

It was team.

“Hitting, pitching, fielding — you need all of it,” Aces said, his voice hoarse. “But what wins championships is covering for each other. That’s what this group did every single night.”

Even the Diablos acknowledged it.

“They deserved it,” Long Beach manager Frank Carrillo said. “They were the better team. Full stop.”

"Team was the word of the day," Manager Jimmy Aces told us in a champagne-soaked clubhouse. He’s right. This wasn't just about Bret Perez's record-setting runs or Edwin Musco’s .365 series average. It was about Luis Prieto coming out of the pen, Logan Hicks making plays in the gaps, and a city that never stopped believing.

★ ★ ★

SACRAMENTO, AGAIN

Parade plans were announced before the final out was even recorded. Horns echoed downtown. Fans spilled into the streets, carrying banners that spanned generations.

For the Sacramento Prayers, 1988 did not end with a roar — it ended with control, composure, and conviction.

Two runs. One swing. Nine championships.

And another banner waiting for the rafters.

[liberty-ca]

SEASON IN REVIEW: THE KINGS OF CALIFORNIA
Special Championship Edition – October 23, 1988
By Gemmie Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

They said 115 wins in the regular season didn't mean a thing if you didn't have the rings to match. Well, Sacramento, check your fingers. The Sacramento Prayers have finished the most dominant season in professional baseball history, punctuating a 115-47 regular season with a grit-and-grind World Series victory.

Statistically, this team was a monster. We ranked 1st in the AL in almost every meaningful category: Runs (814), Home Runs (214), ERA (2.92), and Opponent Average (.225). But numbers don't hoist trophies — players do.

As the champagne dries, let’s look at the candidates for our "Prayers Postseason MVP."

★ ★ ★

The "Twin Engines" of the Offense

While the whole lineup contributed, two names rose above the rest during this October run.

1. Edwin Musco (2B)

Musco followed up a 30-home-run regular season with an October for the ages. He was the statistical heart of the postseason run.

* Postseason Stats: .365 AVG | 6 HR | 14 RBI | 1.182 OPS
* The Verdict: His 2.1 WAR in just 16 playoff games is staggering. When Musco was at the plate, the Diablos looked terrified. He is the definition of a "power-hitting second baseman."

2. Bret Perez (3B)

The "Catalyst." Perez was the spark plug that kept the engine turning, tying records and terrorizing catchers.

* Postseason Stats: .371 AVG | 4 HR | 16 Runs | 4 SB | 1.043 OPS
* The Verdict: Perez was the most consistent hitter in the lineup. His ability to get on base (.429 OBP) and then immediately threaten to steal second changed the way opposing managers had to pitch to our middle order.

★ ★ ★

The Masters of the Mound

You don't win a title without arms, and the Prayers had the deepest rotation in the league.

3. Fernando Salazar (SP)

If the regular season belonged to Jordan Rubalcava (22 wins), the postseason belonged to Salazar.

* Postseason Stats: 3-0 Record | 1.97 ERA | 32.0 IP | 16 K
* The Verdict: Salazar was the "Big Game Hunter." Every time he took the mound, the bench felt like the game was already over. His 1.00 WHIP kept traffic off the bases and the pressure off the bullpen.

4. Bernardo Andretti (SP)

Andretti provided the stability the team needed in the clincher and throughout the earlier rounds.

* Postseason Stats: 2-0 Record | 1.57 ERA | 23.0 IP | 0.83 WHIP
* The Verdict: While Salazar got the wins, Andretti was arguably more efficient. Allowing only 14 hits in 23 innings is pure dominance.

★ ★ ★

Final Postseason Stat Leaders

Player Category Stat

Edwin Musco Home Runs 6
Bret Perez Batting Avg .371
Edwin Musco RBI 14
Bret Perez Runs Scored 16
Logan Hicks Stolen Bases 5
Luis Prieto Saves 4

★ ★ ★

Gemmie’s Special Mention: The "Clutch" Award

Eli Murguia (LF): He might not have the 1.100+ OPS of Musco, but Murguia hit .333 and delivered the 414-foot home run that ultimately won the World Series. In the moments that mattered most, Murguia was a giant.

★ ★ ★

Final Thoughts

From a 22-3 start in April to a championship parade in October, this team never wavered. They played for each other, they played for the city, and now they belong to history.

What a ride, Sacramento!

[liberty-ca]

BNN AWARDS FEATURE — AMERICAN LEAGUE SY YOUNG AWARD
PLUTO’S ORBIT: Rubalcava Claims Unanimous AL Cy Young Award
By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle and Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)
November 13, 1988

SACRAMENTO, CA — The debate is over. The ballots are in. And for the rest of the American League, the conclusion is as cold as deep space: Jordan "Pluto" Rubalcava is the best pitcher on the planet.
The Sacramento Prayers did not simply produce the American League’s best pitcher in 1988 — they produced the standard by which the rest of the league was measured.

Jordan “Pluto” Rubalcava, at just 26 years old, was named the American League Sy Young Award winner, capturing the honor unanimously after one of the most complete, analytically dominant pitching seasons the Fictional Baseball League has seen in years. Rubalcava put together a campaign that scouts and historians will be dissecting for decades. Armed with a 97-mph fastball and a splitter that some hitters have described as "vanishing," the Prayers’ ace was untouchable.

Rubalcava received all 24 first-place votes, finishing with 168 total points, comfortably ahead of San Jose’s Jessie Brierly (96) and his own teammate Fernando Salazar (70). Unanimous votes are rare in this league. Earned unanimity is rarer still.

★ ★ ★

THE 1988 "PLUTO" STAT LINE:

Rubalcava’s raw line already reads like a Hall of Fame plaque draft:

* 22–4 record (league-best .846 winning percentage)
* 2.27 ERA (1st in AL)
* 222.0 innings pitched
* 176 strikeouts (3rd)
* 0.95 WHIP (1st)
* 26 quality starts (1st; 81.2% QS rate)
* 8.1 WAR (best in the league)

Opponents managed a mere .203 batting average against him — .200 by right-handers, .207 by left-handers — and hit just five home runs across more than 220 innings. His 0.20 HR/9 wasn’t just the lowest in the league; it was borderline historic.

“Every mistake you think he might make,” one AL scout said, “he simply doesn’t. He turns hitter confidence into groundballs.”
“He stays in the shadows, not the spotlight,” one teammate remarked in the clubhouse, “but when he steps on that mound, he’s the only thing you see.” Indeed, Rubalcava’s adaptability and 102-rated splitter turned the league's best hitters into easy outs, leading the AL with 26 Quality Starts.

Indeed, Rubalcava’s profile tells the full story: elite movement, pinpoint control, and devastating late action on a splitter that graded as one of the most unhittable pitches in the league.

★ ★ ★

CONSISTENCY, NOT FLASH, WON IT

While Rubalcava endured one rough patch in August (5.22 ERA across six starts), he responded the way aces do — by erasing doubt.

From September onward, including postseason play:

* September ERA: 1.50
* September WHIP: 0.83
* 4–0 record down the stretch
* Back-to-back eight-plus inning performances vs SEA and MIL

Manager Jimmy Aces put it plainly:

“When August happened, he didn’t flinch. He just went back to work. That’s what separates a frontline starter from a franchise pillar.”

Rubalcava finished the year strongest when the stakes were highest — an essential trait for a club with championship ambitions.

★ ★ ★

MORE THAN A GREAT YEAR — A GREAT CAREER ARC

This Sy Young Award does not stand alone. It fits neatly into a larger résumé:

* 102 career wins before age 27
* Career ERA: 2.91 across 1,356.1 innings
* Five World Series rings (1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988)
* ERA+ of 171 in 1988
* Career postseason ERA: 3.46 in 23 starts

In 1988 alone, Rubalcava ranked top-three league-wide in ERA, WHIP, WAR, K/BB ratio, QS percentage, and opponent OPS — not by specialization, but by dominance across every measurable axis.

“He doesn’t pitch to survive,” one opposing hitter admitted. “He pitches to end at-bats.”

★ ★ ★

FROM SURGERY TO SUPERSTARDOM

This award is more than just a statistical achievement; it is a triumph of will. Rubalcava’s career has been plagued by "what-ifs," including a torn labrum in 1980 and a devastating elbow injury in 1986 that cost him a full year of his prime.

Many wondered if he would ever regain the #1 prospect form he showed in 1982. This year, he didn't just regain it — he surpassed it. By crossing the 100-career win threshold (currently 102-40) at such a young age, Rubalcava has officially entered the Hall of Fame conversation.

★ ★ ★

A QUIET STAR IN A LOUD DYNASTY

With five World Series rings already in his trophy case, Rubalcava has become the cornerstone of a Sacramento dynasty. As he enters the final year of his contract in 1989, the only question remaining is how much the Prayers will have to pay to keep "Pluto" from orbiting another city.

For now, Sacramento can celebrate having the undisputed King of the Mound.
True to his reputation, Rubalcava deflected praise after the announcement.

“Awards are nice,” he said softly. “But the banner matters more.”

That mindset has endeared him to a Sacramento clubhouse defined by excellence rather than ego. His durability, command profile, and postseason reliability now place him squarely in the conversation not just for annual awards — but for historical standing.

At 26, Jordan Rubalcava is already the league’s best pitcher. The more unsettling truth for the rest of the American League? He may not be done getting better.

[liberty-ca]

FICTIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE — HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
“A Magnificent Journey”: Mike Kucan Earns Baseball’s Highest Honor

By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle
January 4, 1989

The ballots were counted, the margin was razor-thin, and the verdict was unmistakable. The wait is over for one of the most beloved figures in Sacramento baseball history. One name rose above the line this year — The Baseball Writers Association announced today that Mike “Little Brother” Kucan, a pitcher whose career was defined by durability, control, and an unshakeable sense of purpose, has been officially enshrined in the Fictional Baseball League Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility.

His bronze plaque will now take its place alongside the game’s immortals.

Kucan cleared the required 75-percent threshold while several notable contemporaries fell just short. First baseman Jonathan Perry (72.3%) and second baseman Cameron Gallenberg (65.6%) remain on the ballot, while a deep field of pitchers and position players will regroup for future elections. But this year belonged to Kucan alone — a pitcher whose career arc mirrored the era itself.

★ ★ ★

A Career Built on Consistency

When Mike Kucan retired at age 42, his résumé read like a blueprint for Hall of Fame excellence:

* 195 wins
* 2,108 strikeouts
* 3.14 career ERA
* 3,125.2 innings pitched
* 69.3 career WAR

Across 430 career appearances, most of them starts, Kucan was a fixture atop rotations in Columbus, Milwaukee, and — most memorably — Sacramento, where he spent the defining stretch of his career.

He was not overpowering in the modern sense, but he was relentless. Year after year, Kucan shouldered massive workloads, routinely ranking among league leaders in innings pitched, complete games, and strikeouts. From 1969 through the late 1970s, he was as reliable as the calendar.

“Mike Kucan didn’t just take the ball,” one longtime writer remarked. “He owned the night.”

★ ★ ★

The Sacramento Years: Prime and Purpose

Acquired by the Sacramento Prayers in a pivotal 1972 trade, Kucan quickly became a cornerstone of a rising dynasty. That same season, he helped deliver a World Series championship, setting the tone for a golden era of Prayers baseball.

From 1973 to 1979, Kucan posted six seasons of 15 or more wins, including a brilliant 20–5 campaign in 1973 with a 2.56 ERA. He finished top-three in Sy Young voting four times, never winning the award but never leaving doubt about his standing among the league’s elite.

He combined precision with guile — mixing a sharp knuckle curve, a fearless approach inside, and impeccable control. Even as his velocity dipped in later years, his results followed.

By the time he transitioned into a reduced role in the early 1980s, Kucan had already written his legacy.

★ ★ ★

“You Can’t Get Here Without Your First Chance”

Standing at the podium on induction day, Kucan reflected not on numbers, but on time.

“My how time flies. It is only a mere moment from your first spring training game to your first oldtimer’s game. But it is a magnificent journey.”

He made a point to single out the man who first believed in him — his first Little League manager.

“He gave me my first opportunity when he could have kept other people. I was lucky — he was a Mike Kucan fan. You can’t get in the Hall of Fame without your first chance.”

Those who covered Kucan throughout his career weren’t surprised. He was always quick to deflect praise, always mindful of the long road behind him.

★ ★ ★

The Verdict of History

Hall of Fame debates often hinge on peaks versus longevity. In Kucan’s case, the argument never required choosing. He had both.

He won championships.
He anchored rotations.
He adapted as the league evolved.

And now, fittingly, he has crossed the final threshold.

Mike “Little Brother” Kucan didn’t overpower baseball history — he earned his place within it, inning by inning.

And on January 4, 1989, the Hall finally opened its doors.

Today the city of Sacramento celebrates its "Little Brother," a pitcher who turned a "first chance" into a Hall of Fame career, by retiring # 16, worn with pride by Mike Kucan throughout his long and illustrious carrier with Sacramento Prayers organization.

[liberty-ca]

BNN OPENING SERIES RECAP — MARCH 30–APRIL 2, 1989
PRAYERS OPEN 1989 WITH GRIT, DRAMA, AND AN EARLY REALITY CHECK
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SAN JOSE — The Sacramento Prayers opened the 1989 campaign by proving they are the masters of the long game. In a bizarre and grueling four-game set at San Jose Grounds, the Prayers required extra innings to win their first three games before finally running out of steam in a Sunday blowout. Despite the 3-1 series victory, the celebration is tempered by a growing list of injuries to key personnel.

★ ★ ★

Game 1 — Thursday, March 30

Prayers 2, Demons 0 (14 innings)

It took nearly four and a half hours, but the Prayers began 1989 the way dynasties often do: quietly, relentlessly, and on the back of their ace.

Jordan Rubalcava was brilliant in the opener, carving through San Jose’s lineup for nine scoreless innings. He scattered six hits, struck out seven, and looked every bit like the reigning standard-bearer in Sacramento’s rotation.

“Jordan doesn’t chase moments,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “He waits for them to get tired.”

They did — eventually.

After thirteen scoreless frames, Sacramento finally cracked through in the 14th. Francisco “Slicker” Hernandez ignited the inning, and Rodolfo Cardenas delivered the decisive two-run single, ending a tense stalemate and sending the visitors into muted celebration.

Ricky Gaias earned the win with four dominant relief innings, striking out six and finishing what Rubalcava had started.

★ ★ ★

Game 2 — Friday, March 31

Prayers 6, Demons 4 (10 innings)

If Opening Night was about patience, Game Two was about timing.

After San Jose surged ahead in the seventh behind Randy Lewis’ three-run homer, Sacramento answered — slowly, methodically — until Omar Zamora stepped into the spotlight in the 10th.

Facing right-hander M. Cantrampona, Zamora lined a two-run single to right, silencing the crowd and restoring order to the series.

“I wasn’t swinging for a headline,” Zamora said afterward. “Just wanted the inning to keep breathing.”

Ricky Gaias stayed perfect (2–0), Luis Prieto locked down his first save, and Edwin Musco supplied an early jolt with Sacramento’s first homer of the season.

The win came at a cost: Francisco Hernandez left after being hit by a pitch, an early injury scare that lingered over the dugout.

★ ★ ★

Game 3 — Saturday, April 1

Prayers 6, Demons 4 (10 innings)

For the third straight night, the Prayers dragged San Jose into extra innings — and again, they outlasted them.

Edwin Musco played the role of executioner this time, lining a go-ahead RBI single in the 10th to snap a 4–4 deadlock. Sacramento piled on from there, flashing depth and poise that’s become familiar over the years.

“Our guys are never satisfied,” Aces said. “That’s the culture. Tie game, late — we expect to win.”

Fernando Salazar battled through traffic for 7.2 innings, Matt Wright earned the victory in relief, and Jose Vizcarra closed the door.

San Jose’s Pablo Bocanegra was sensational — again — but once more, his effort went unrewarded.

★ ★ ★

Game 4 — Sunday, April 2

Demons 11, Prayers 2

The Prayers’ luck finally evaporated in the series finale. San Jose’s Pablo Bocanegra — who haunted Sacramento all week with a .526 series average — led a relentless 17-hit attack. The Demons cruised to an 11-2 win, handing Bobby Andretti a loss after he surrendered six earned runs in five innings of work. Manager Jimmy Aces didn't mince words after the blowout, calling the loss "a real bummer" but remaining proud of the 3-1 start. San Jose finally flipped the script with authority, riding a monster performance from Bocanegra and a five-RBI afternoon from Randy Lewis to hammer Sacramento in the finale.

The most concerning takeaway from the trip to San Jose isn't the Sunday loss, but the state of the Sacramento roster. Three Prayers were forced out of action during the series:

CF Francisco Hernandez: Left Game 2 after being hit by a pitch.
3B Bret Perez: Suffered an injury while running the bases in Game 3.
RP Aaron Gilbert: Left the mound in Game 4 with an apparent injury.

“That one stung,” Aces admitted. “But it’s April. You learn or you repeat.”

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

• The rotation is still the backbone.
Rubalcava looked midseason-ready. Salazar and Larson competed. Depth will matter early — and it already has.

• Late innings remain Sacramento’s comfort zone.
Three extra-inning wins in four days isn’t luck. It’s institutional confidence.

• Injuries are already testing depth.
Hernandez, Perez, and Gilbert all left the series dinged up — a quiet but important subplot.

• Pablo Bocanegra is a problem.
San Jose’s center fielder torched Sacramento all weekend. Expect adjustments next time.

★ ★ ★

THE OPENING VERDICT

The Prayers leave San Jose with three wins, a bruised bullpen, and proof that the margins will be thinner in 1989. With Hernandez and Perez out, the Sacramento bench will need to step up immediately as the team continues it's road trip. The Prayers showed they have the heart to win the close ones; now they have to prove they have the depth to survive the grind.

[liberty-ca]

BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 4–6, 1989
PRAYERS DRAIN EL PASO DRY IN THREE GAMES OF CONTROLLED BASEBALL
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

EL PASO — The Sacramento Prayers have officially sent a message to the rest of the league. After taking three of four in San Jose, the Prayers rolled into Abbots Park and completed a three-game sweep of the El Paso Abbots. The Prayers didn’t overwhelm El Paso with volume. They did something more unsettling: they dictated every inch of the serie* — tempo, leverage, and late innings — pushing their record to 6–1 and leaving the Abbots searching for daylight.

★ ★ ★

Game 1 — Tuesday, April 4
Prayers 1, Abbots 0

Rubalcava turns Abbots Park into a dead end

Jordan Rubalcava didn’t just beat El Paso — he erased them.

The series opener on Tuesday was a clinic in efficiency. Jordan Rubalcava tossed a complete-game shutout, leading Sacramento to a 1-0 victory in just two hours and thirty-five minutes. Rubalcava was practically untouchable, surrendering only three hits and zero walks. He threw 64 strikes among 89 pitches and never allowed an Abbot past first base until the final inning.

“That’s not power pitching,” Rubalcava said. “That’s knowing when an at-bat is already over.”

The lone run was all Sacramento needed. In the fifth, Eli Murguia ambushed a pitch from left-hander Luis Agosti and sent it over the left-field wall with two outs — a solo shot that felt heavier than a single run usually does.

“There were a lot of frustrated guys walking back to the dugout,” El Paso manager Alberto Rivas said. “Not a fun day.”

Sacramento: 1 run on 8 hits
El Paso: 0 runs on 3 hits

★ ★ ★

Game 2 — Wednesday, April 5

Prayers 4, Abbots 1

Larson steadies the night, bats strike in bursts

On Wednesday, the Prayers secured the series victory with a 4-1 win, backed by another stellar outing from the rotation.

Robby Larson dominated through 7.2 innings, striking out seven and allowing just one run. Larson scattered five hits, issued one walk and struck out seven batters. He bent occasionally, but never broke. “When Robby’s on, he can really move the ball around,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “The game slows down for everyone else.”

The offense showed more life in this contest, particularly from the middle of the order. Alex Velasquez notched two doubles and two RBIs, while Francisco Hernandez, last year’s fourth-place AL slugging finisher, made a triumphant return to the lineup. Hernandez, recovering from an injury in the previous series, went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run-scoring hit in the 6th to put the game out of reach. Luis Prieto cleaned up the final outs for his second save, extinguishing a late flicker before it caught.

★ ★ ★

Game 3 — Thursday, April 6

Prayers 3, Abbots 2

Late swings, steady nerves, familiar ending

The finale on Thursday was the closest of the set, a 3-2 victory that required some late-inning magic.

El Paso struck first on a first-inning homer by Danny Rodriguez, but Andres Velasquez tied the game with a solo homer in the fourth, his first of the year. Eli Murguia pushed the Prayers ahead in the fifth with a two-out RBI single and the game stayed tight deep into the night. Fernando Salazar pitched a gem, racking up seven strikeouts over 7.1 innings and allowing just one earned run despite eight hits and constant pressure, but a couple of defensive miscues by Bret Perez allowed El Paso to keep the game tied late.

Then came the ninth. Perez, however, found the ultimate redemption. With two outs in the top of the 9th inning he jumped a pitch from Alex Zarco and sent it over the wall — a quiet swing that landed loud. Ricky Gaias earned his third win of the young season in relief, and Luis Prieto slammed the door for his third save in three nights.

★ ★ ★

SERIES BY THE NUMBERS

* Record: 3–0
* Runs Allowed: 3 in 27 innings
* Starter ERA: 0.96
* Saves: Prieto (3)
* Defining Trait: No panic, ever

Sacramento starters combined for 24 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs across the three games.

★ ★ ★

THE VERDICT

El Paso threw three different styles at Sacramento, but none of them mattered.

The Prayers won with a shutout. They won with timely doubles. They won with a ninth-inning punch. Manager Jimmy Aces was high on the team's "collective resolve," noting that the sweep proves the Prayers can win in multiple ways — whether it's an 89-pitch shutout or a gritty 9th-inning comeback.

[liberty-ca]

BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 7–9, 1989
MILWAUKEE EDGES SACRAMENTO AS PITCHING DUELS GIVE WAY TO SUNDAY SWING

Bishops Cool Down Prayers in Milwaukee; Sacramento Drops First Series of 1989
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

MILWAUKEE — After a scorching 6-1 start to the season, the Sacramento Prayers found the cold weather in Milwaukee a bit harder to navigate. Milwaukee Bishops claimed the series by winning two of three, handing the Sacramento Prayers their first road setback of the young 1989 season. While Prayers remain atop the standings, the weekend was marred by a significant injury to the starting rotation and a rare off-night for the team’s ace.

★ ★ ★

Game 1 — Friday, April 7

Bishops 3, Prayers 2

The series opener was a frustrating affair for Sacramento. First game on Friday can be described as an offensive stagnation in a narrow loss.

Despite a solid effort from the pitching staff, the Prayers’ bats managed only two hits the entire game — both singles by Bret Perez. A two-run first inning — punctuated by Chris Butkiewicz’s two-run homer off Bernardo Andretti — set the tone, and Bob Alana did the rest. The right-hander limited Sacramento to two hits over seven innings, striking out six and keeping the Prayers off balance all night.

Sacramento scratched back with single runs in the fifth and sixth, but never found a tying hit. Willie Gutierrez closed it out for his third save, preserving Milwaukee’s narrow win.

“I was born for the big stage,” Alana, all smiles, told the Milwaukee Times afterward.

★ ★ ★

Game 2 — Saturday, April 8

Prayers 2, Bishops 0

Saturday night swung entirely on pitching. Sacramento bounced back on Saturday with a 2-0 victory, but the win came at a high price. Starting pitcher Russ Gray was forced to leave the game in the 3rd inning due to an injury. The bullpen, however, rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. Aaron Gilbert took over and threw 3.2 innings of no-hit ball, striking out five to earn the win. From there Sacramento pieced together a four-man shutout: Alex Gilbert steadied the middle innings with 3⅔ scoreless frames, Mike Wright bridged to the ninth, and Luis Prieto nailed down his fourth save.

The offense did just enough - veteran Eli Murguia, the team's most reliable run-producer, and Eric Musco delivered consecutive two-out RBI singles, accounting for both runs in the game.

Milwaukee starter Ozzie Aguilar was strong in defeat, allowing just two runs over seven innings.

“Scoring was at a premium tonight,” Murguia said — and everyone knew it.

★ ★ ★

Game 3 — Sunday, April 9

Bishops 6, Prayers 2

Sunday broke the balance.

The Prayers looked to Jordan Rubalcava to clinch the series on Sunday, but the right-hander finally looked human after his historic start to the season. Rubalcava surrendered six earned runs and two home runs over seven innings, struggling to find his rhythm against a disciplined Milwaukee lineup.

On the other side of the mound, Milwaukee’s Jimmy Burge was a force of nature. Burge pitched a complete game on 109 pitches, allowing just five hits and two runs while silencing the Sacramento dugout, while issuing no walks and striking out six. Sacramento managed only two runs — one in the first, one in the fourth — before Burge settled in and erased any comeback hopes.

Milwaukee’s offense struck decisively in the middle innings. A three-run fourth — highlighted by home runs from Joey Romero and Joe Pereira — cracked the game open and handed Jordan Rubalcava his first loss of the season.

“Nice win for us,” Burge said. “Now we’ll go after the next one.”

The Prayers’ only highlights came from Bret Perez and Edwin Musco, who both showed speed on the basepaths with stolen bases, but the team ultimately fell 6-2.

★ ★ ★

The Training Room Report

The biggest story following the Milwaukee trip is the status of SP Russ Gray. After losing Francisco Hernandez and Bret Perez to minor scares in San Jose, the loss of Gray to an in-game injury on Saturday leaves a massive hole in a rotation that had been the best in the league through the first week. The team is expected to provide an update on his availability before the next series.

★ ★ ★

THE VERDICT

Eli Murguia continues to be a professional at-bat, recording RBIs or sacrifice flies in nearly every contest this week. Despite the loss of a starter, the relief corps — led by Aaron Gilbert and Matt Wright — kept Sacramento competitive throughout the weekend.

Sacramento won one pitching duel, lost two, and struggled to sustain offense against starters who dictated tempo. Milwaukee earned the series by finishing games, limiting damage, and delivering decisive swings when chances appeared.

Early April. Cold air. Honest baseball. Milwaukee took it.

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BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 11–13, 1989
PHOENIX AT SACRAMENTO — “A SWEEP TO OPEN THE GATES”
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Prayers returned to the capital city this week and reminded the league why Sacramento Stadium is considered a fortress. In a dominant three-game sweep of the Phoenix Crucifixes, the Prayers showcased a terrifying combination of elite starting pitching and a sudden explosion of power hitting.

Across three crisp April nights, the Sacramento Prayers shut down, battered, and ultimately swept aside the Phoenix Crucifixes, outscoring them 21–4 and extending their early-season surge. The sweep marked a flawless opening homestand series — built on pitching dominance, timely power, and an offense that found another gear as the week unfolded. Sacramento now sits at an impressive 10-3, maintaining their position as the team to beat in the American League.

Game 1 — Larson’s Masterclass Sets the Tone (April 11)

The home opener arrived quietly — and stayed that way for Phoenix. It was a classic pitcher's duel that turned on one swing of the bat.

Robby Larson authored eight innings of near-flawless control, scattering just two hits and striking out nine as Sacramento edged the Crucifixes 2–0. Phoenix never advanced a runner past second base, and the crowd of 22,472 settled into the familiar comfort of watching a Sacramento starter dictate tempo.

The lone damage came in the sixth, when Eddie Musco, following a hit-by-pitch to Bret Perez, unloaded a two-run blast off Phoenix’s *Engeitado, the only swing Sacramento would need.

“Robby is good at sticking to his strengths,” skipper Aces said afterward — understatement masking another reminder that this rotation remains unforgiving. That was all Larson needed, and Luis Prieto entered in the 9th to secure his 5th save of the season.

Game 2 — The Rubbi Show and a 12-Run Rout (April 12)

If Tuesday was surgical, Wednesday was thunder, if Tuesday was a subtle defensive battle, Wednesday was a loud, offensive statement. The Prayers demolished Phoenix 12-2, powered by a career night from catcher Jose Rubbi.

Rubbi was unstoppable, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and a staggering 6 RBIs. The decisive blow came early — a two-run shot in the third to erase an early deficit — but the knockout arrived in the fifth, when Rubbi crushed a grand slam that blew the game wide open and effectively ended the contest. The Prayers hit four home runs in total, with Edwin Musco and Alex Velasquez also joining the hit parade.

Lost in the offensive fireworks was another stellar start from Fernando Salazar, who went eight innings and allowed just two runs to earn his first victory of the year.

“Things went our way,” Rubbi said, smiling — though Phoenix pitchers may have felt otherwise.

Game 3 — Depth Finishes the Job (April 13)

Sacramento completed the sweep on Thursday with a 7-2 victory that highlighted the team’s depth. While the superstars usually grab the headlines, this game belonged to designated hitter Hector Iniguez, who went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Sacramento again broke the game open in the middle innings — Alex Vieyra crushed his first home run of the year, a solo shot in the 5th, and Francisco Hernandez continued his strong return from injury with a solo home run of his own.

Bernardo Andretti earned his first win with a gritty 6.1-inning performance, navigating traffic without collapse and overcoming four walks to keep the Phoenix bats at bay. Afterwards, The Prayers' bullpen, led by J. Vizcarra, provided 2.2 innings of scoreless relief to slam the door on the Crucifixes' hopes of a comeback — a fitting punctuation for a series that never truly felt in doubt.

“We really put our best foot forward tonight,” Iniguez said. “That’s what home should feel like, right?”

Series Verdict

Three games. Three wins. Four total Phoenix runs.

The Prayers opened their home schedule the way champions are expected to: quietly confident, increasingly explosive, and firmly in control. The pitching staff allowed just 12 hits across the series. The offense evolved from patience to punishment. And Sacramento Stadium, once again, looked like a place visiting clubs won’t enjoy seeing on the calendar.

The Prayers outscored Phoenix 21-4 over the three-game set. The rotation continues to be the foundation of this team's success, but the emergence of power from the middle and bottom of the order — specifically Rubbi and Vieyra — suggests that this lineup is becoming much more dangerous than it was a week ago. The season is young, but the message is already clear: Prayers look like “A Complete Team”.

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BNN SERIES RECAP – APRIL 14–16, 1989
PRAYERS TAKE TUCSON SERIES, STUMBLE IN EXTRA-INNING FINALE
By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle, Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and C.O.Pilot

The Sacramento Prayers continued their torrid start to the 1989 season, taking two of three from the Tucson Cherubs in a homestand that showcased the club’s depth, power, and starting rotation — even as a tense, extra‑inning finale served as a reminder that margins are thin in April. Sacramento leaves the series at 12–4, still perched atop the American League early standings.

★ ★ ★

Friday — Prayers 11, Cherubs 3

Strauss, Hernandez Spark Rout; Rubalcava Works Deep

The weekend opened as a showcase for Sacramento’s offense and speed. Sam Strauss delivered the big blow — a three‑run homer in the fifth — finishing 2‑for‑4 with four RBIs and earning Player of the Game honors. But it was Francisco Hernandez who made history, legging out two triples to tie a Sacramento regular‑season record and ignite a 13‑hit attack that turned a close game into a rout.

On the mound, Jordan Rubalcava battled through a long outing, throwing 6.2 innings (118 pitches) and stranding traffic to pick up the win. The Prayers’ combination of situational hitting and aggressive baserunning set the tone for the series.

“It was a good night for them and a bad night for us,” Tucson manager Russ Barrett said after the game.

★ ★ ★

Saturday — Prayers 7, Cherubs 1

Gray Dominant; Big Second Inning Decides It

In damp conditions, Russ Gray answered any lingering questions about his health with a vintage performance. Gray scattered four hits over 8.1 innings, carrying a shutout into the eighth and finishing with a composed, efficient outing that kept Tucson off balance.

Sacramento provided early separation with a six‑run second inning. Eli Murguia cleared the bases with a bases‑loaded double and finished with three RBIs, while Alex Velasquez added a solo homer to right‑center. Gray credited the club’s “focus and intensity,” but it was his command that dictated the game from the first pitch.

★ ★ ★

Sunday — Cherubs 3, Prayers 2 (11 innings)

Extra‑Inning Heartbreak After Missed Chances

The finale was a classic pitchers’ duel that slipped away from Sacramento in the late innings. Robby Larson was sensational, matching zeroes through eight innings and allowing just two runs while keeping Tucson’s lineup uncomfortable. Yet the Prayers repeatedly left runs on the field — 10 runners stranded over the afternoon, many in scoring position.

Sacramento’s offense showed flashes — Hernandez homered in the second and Jose Rubbi nearly ended it with a pinch‑hit double in the eighth — but the decisive moment came in the 11th. Virgile Perfelti lined a run‑scoring single off Luis Prieto to break the deadlock and give Tucson the walk‑off win. Prieto, charged with the loss, had been solid earlier but the bullpen’s rare off day handed him his first defeat of the season.

“This kind of game is tough on the heart,” Barrett said, a sentiment Sacramento felt just as sharply.

★ ★ ★

Series Notes and Notebook

- Series result: Sacramento wins series 2–1; record improves to 12–4.
- Rotation strength: Rubalcava, Gray, and Larson combined to anchor the staff, with Sacramento starters surrendering just 6 earned runs over 23 innings across the three games.
- Offensive highlights: Francisco Hernandez tied a club record with two triples on Friday and added a solo homer on Sunday; Sam Strauss drove in 5 runs over the weekend and looks to be finding his stroke.
- Clutch concerns: The Prayers’ offense stranded 10 runners in Sunday’s loss, underscoring a tendency to leave runners in scoring position in tight games.
- Standout performances:
- Sam Strauss: three‑run homer, 4 RBIs (Friday).
- Francisco Hernandez: two triples (Friday), solo homer (Sunday).
- Russ Gray: 8.1 IP, four hits, one run (Saturday).
- Robby Larson: eight strong innings (Sunday).

★ ★ ★

Takeaways

- Power plus patience remains Sacramento’s calling card — they can score in bunches and manufacture runs on the bases.
- Rotation depth is the team’s backbone; when Gray and Rubalcava are on, the Prayers control games.
- Late‑game execution is the next area to tighten — the bullpen and situational hitting will be tested as the schedule ramps up.

Sacramento leaves the homestand with momentum intact and a league‑best record, but Sunday’s extra‑inning loss is a timely reminder: even the best clubs must finish what they start. The Prayers head into their next series with plenty to build on — and a few lessons to apply.

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BNN SERIES RECAP – APRIL 18–20, 1989
PRAYERS SWEEP SPIRITS, PUSH AL RECORD TO 15–4
By C.O.Pilot, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Prayers are the undisputed kings of the American League right now. Fresh off a series win over Tucson, Prayers kept the throttle down, sweeping the Fort Worth Spirits in three tightly contested games that showcased the club’s pitching depth, timely power. However, the celebratory mood is tempered by a bizarre injury report involving one of the team’s cornerstones — third baseman Bret Perez.

Sacramento now sits at 15–4, the best mark in the American League, with Brooklyn arriving next for a weekend showdown.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, APRIL 18 — PRAYERS 4, SPIRITS 2

Salazar Dominates, But Perez Falls (Literally)

Fernando Salazar delivered one of his sharpest outings in years, tossing 7.1 scoreless innings and scattering seven hits in a vintage performance that powered Sacramento to a 4–2 win.

Salazar, the 1985 AL strikeout king, worked efficiently and elevated when needed, striking out five and walking just one. Manager Jimmy Aces praised his veteran ace’s poise:

“Really good pitchers raise their game when they need to,” Aces said.

Sacramento’s offense did its part early. Edwin Musco and Francisco Hernandez each delivered two‑out RBIs, while Alex Velasquez added a run‑scoring single. The Prayers collected nine hits but stranded nine runners, leaving the door open for late drama.

Fort Worth finally broke through in the ninth against reliever Rocco Gaias, but never mounted a full comeback.

Oddest moment of the night: After the game, the club announced that Bret Perez will miss three weeks after fracturing his tailbone in a mishap at a family pizza outing. The injury occurred when Perez reached to pick up his son’s fallen toy and slipped from his chair. For now the focus remains on how Sacramento will fill the void at third base during Perez's recovery.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 — PRAYERS 5, SPIRITS 3

Musco Goes Deep Twice; Prieto Locks It Down

Edwin Musco stole the spotlight in Game 2, launching two home runs and driving in three to lead Sacramento to a 5–3 victory.

Musco homered in the first and again in the seventh, continuing a breakout April that has made him one of the league’s most dangerous middle‑infield bats. His two‑run shot in the seventh broke a 3–3 tie and ultimately decided the game.

Jordan Rubalcava battled through six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out six. Matt Wright bridged the gap with two scoreless frames, and Luis Prieto earned his sixth save, working a clean ninth.

Francisco Hernandez added a sacrifice fly, while Eli Murguia and Alex Valadez chipped in multi‑hit efforts.

Fort Worth manager Chris Tanner summed it up simply:

“They just got the better of us.”

★ ★ ★

THURSDAY, APRIL 20 — PRAYERS 4, SPIRITS 2

Andretti Deals, Valadez Homers as Sacramento Completes Sweep

Bernardo Andretti (2-2) kept the Spirits off-balance with a masterful command of the zone delivering his best outing of the season — 8 innings of five‑hit, two‑run ball on 88 pitches, as Sacramento closed out the sweep with a 4–2 win.

Andretti mixed speeds, induced soft contact, and leaned on a sharp infield defense that turned a key double play. His only blemishes came on an early triple by Ernesto Reza and a solo homer from Gino Benoldi in the seventh.

The Prayers' middle infield was the engine of the offense. Sacramento struck in the third, when Alex Valadez launched his first homer of the year — a no‑doubt shot to left — sparking a three‑run inning that included RBI from Sam Strauss and Edwin Musco. Showing he can handle the hot corner in Perez's absence, Valadez went 3-for-4.

Luis Prieto, appearing for the third straight game, recorded his seventh save, retiring all three batters he faced and further solidifying his status as the league's premier closer.

Andretti praised the club’s resilience:

“This win was all grit,” he said. “We just kept pushing.”

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

Pitching Carries the Load

• Sacramento starters (Salazar, Rubalcava, Andretti) combined for 21.1 IP, 5 ER, controlling every game.
• Prieto now leads the AL with 7 saves, rebounding quickly after the Tucson loss.

Musco’s Breakout Continues

• 4-for-10 in the series
• Two home runs, 4 RBI, 4 runs scored
• Emerging as Sacramento’s most consistent April bat.

Hernandez Stays Hot

• RBI in all three games
• Continues to impact games with speed, power, and defense.

Depth Tested Early

• Bret Perez’s freak injury forces lineup shuffling, with Valadez stepping in and delivering a three-hit, one-homer performance on Thursday.

★ ★ ★

UP NEXT

Sacramento closes the homestand with a three‑game weekend set against the Brooklyn Priests (April 21–23) before heading on the road to face the San Antonio Hell Fire. The Prayers return home at month’s end for a four‑game clash with the Seattle Lucifers.

The Prayers remain the class of the AL — deep, disciplined, and dangerous — and April isn’t over yet.

[liberty-ca]

BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 21–23, 1989
PRIESTS TAKE TWO OF THREE AS PRAYERS’ BULLPEN IMPLODES
By C.O.Pilot, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (16-6) remain atop the standings, but they’ll be checking the locks on the bullpen door tonight. After a weekend of high-stakes baseball against the Brooklyn Priests (13-9), Sacramento walked away with a series loss following a Sunday ninth inning that defied logic.
Brooklyn took two of three games in Sacramento, capitalizing on late opportunities and salvaging a decisive Sunday blowout to hand the Prayers just their second series loss of the season.

★ ★ ★

FRIDAY, APRIL 21 — PRIESTS 5, PRAYERS 2

Iniguez Stays Hot, but Brooklyn Capitalizes on Big Innings

The series opener saw Brooklyn’s Dave Olivares (4-1) outlast the Prayers’ staff. Sacramento got a brilliant night from Hector Iniguez, who went 3‑for‑3 with two doubles and a walk, but the Prayers couldn’t find the timely hit to erase an early Brooklyn lead and cash in enough traffic, stranding 10 runners in a 5–2 loss.

Priests struck for three in the third, highlighted by Oscar Elizardo’s two‑run triple, and added insurance in the sixth with a clutch RBI single by Gerard van de Kerkhof to provide the cushion Brooklyn needed to secure the 5-2 win. Sacramento clawed back with RBIs from Eli Murguia and Luis Martinez, but never found the big swing to flip momentum.

Robby Larson battled through six innings but allowed five runs on eight hits and five walks — an uncharacteristic line for the right‑hander. Meanwhile Dave Olivares worked 5.1 steady innings to earn the win, while the Brooklyn bullpen slammed the door.

The game also delivered two injury scares:
- Oscar Elizardo left after a baserunning mishap.
- Eli Murguia exited with a mild groin strain (day‑to‑day).

Brooklyn manager Nick Beadle called it “a darn good win,” and it was — they out‑executed Sacramento in every key moment. “We had our chances,” Jimmy Aces said afterward. “They cashed theirs, and we didn't. That was the difference.”

★ ★ ★

SATURDAY, APRIL 22 — PRAYERS 4, PRIESTS 2

Gray Dominant Again; Martinez Delivers the Decisive Blow

The Prayers bounced back Saturday behind a vintage performance from Russ Gray. Gray delivered one of his sharpest outings of the young season, tossing 8.0 innings of five-hit ball, and keeping the Priests off-balance until the Sacramento bats woke up late.

The Priests briefly took the lead in the seventh on a two‑run homer by Jared Fletcher, but Sacramento answered immediately. With one on and one out, Luis Martinez turned on a Keith Yates fastball and launched his first homer of the season, a towering two‑run shot that put the Prayers ahead for good and sent Sacramento Stadium into full voice. Eli Murguia added an insurance solo shot in the eighth, and Luis Prieto locked down his 8th save to even the series.

Manager Jimmy Aces praised Gray’s confidence:

“A confident pitcher is a dangerous thing. That’s what Russ is right now.”

Sacramento improved to 16–5, looking to take the series on Sunday.

★ ★ ★

SUNDAY, APRIL 23 — PRIESTS 11, PRAYERS 2

The Ninth Inning From Hell — A Stunning Collapse Overshadows Salazar’s Gem

What happened Sunday night will be talked about for years, because what began as a pitching masterpiece unraveled into a nightmare.

For eight innings, Fernando Salazar was a surgeon. He allowed just two hits and zero runs, departing with a 2-0 lead and what looked like a guaranteed series win. Then, the wheels didn't just come off — they disintegrated.

The Brooklyn Priests exploded for 11 runs in the top of the ninth inning, turning a quiet evening into a full‑scale disaster and a scoreless game into a lopsided loss. The inning included:

- A game‑tying RBI single
- A go‑ahead two‑run homer by Gordon MacDonald
- A two‑run blast by Jose Munoz
- A bases‑clearing double by Tomas Rodriguez
- Three Sacramento pitchers unable to record more than one out
- A stunned, silent crowd of 22,593

Luis Prieto, normally automatic, was charged with five runs and the loss. Rocco Gaias and Alex Gilbert were also hit hard as the inning spiraled.

By the time the third out was recorded, a 2-0 Sacramento lead had turned into an 11-2 blowout. Despite out-hitting Brooklyn for much of the game, the Prayers left 13 runners on base, a missed opportunity that proved fatal when the bullpen collapsed.

It was the Prayers’ worst inning of the season, and perhaps their worst in years.

“It’s a cruel game sometimes,” Aces said quietly. “Fernando deserved better.”

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

• The Hero: Russ Gray (8.0 IP, 2 ER) for steadying the ship on Saturday.
• The Concern: One catastrophic inning swung the entire series
• Injury Update: LF Eli Murguia is day-to-day with a mild groin strain but managed a pinch-hit double on Sunday.

★ ★ ★

UP NEXT

Despite the setback, the Prayers closed the homestand at 16–6, still firmly among the league’s early leaders. With very little time to dwell on what might have been, the Prayers hit the road for a three‑game set against the San Antonio Hell Fire, then return home to close April with a four‑game series against the Seattle Lucifers.

The homestand ended with a jolt, but the Prayers remain one of baseball’s most complete clubs — and they’ll have plenty of motivation heading into Texas.

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BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 24–26, 1989
Deep Freeze in Texas: Prayers Swept by Hell Fire
By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle, C.O.Pilot and Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

SAN ANTONIO — The red-hot Sacramento Prayers ran into a cold front this week in Texas. After a bruising series loss to Brooklyn, the Sacramento Prayers arrived in Texas looking to reset the rhythm that carried them through most of April. Instead, they ran into a wall of pitching, bad luck, and untimely execution, getting swept in three games by the San Antonio Hell Fire.

It was a frustrating series for manager Jimmy Aces, whose pitching staff largely held their own, only to be let down by an offense that seemed to lose its spark somewhere over the state line. Sacramento managed only five runs across 29 innings of baseball in the series. Final scores: 1–0 (11 innings), 5–4, and 2–1. Three losses, all by one run, all decisive as they could be.

Sacramento’s record drops to 16–9, still strong atop the AL standings, but this was easily the club’s roughest stretch of the young season.

★ ★ ★

MONDAY, APRIL 24 — HELL FIRE 1, PRAYERS 0 (11 INNINGS)

Rubalcava Brilliant, Bats Frozen in Extra‑Inning Heartbreaker

It was the kind of game pitchers dream about and hitters dread. The series opener was a masterclass in frustration as Jordan Rubalcava delivered arguably his best start of the season, tossing eight shutout innings, striking out six and allowing only three hits. He left with the game still locked at zero and no margin for error behind him. However, the Sacramento bats were silent, grounding into four double plays — the Prayers’ offense never arrived, falling 1–0 in 11 innings.

Sacramento managed just five hits, never advanced a runner past second base after the fourth inning and went 0-for-everything when it mattered. San Antonio starter Will Brinegar matched Rubalcava pitch for pitch, and reliever Casey Clifford finished the job with three scoreless frames. The decisive moment came with two outs in the 11th, when*Garrett Whitford ripped a walk-off double off Rocco Gaias to send the home crowd into a frenzy.

"We just didn't score enough runs to win," a deadpan Jimmy Aces told reporters after the 1-0 loss — a revelation that would echo all series.

It was the Prayers’ first shutout loss of the season — and a sign of things to come.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, APRIL 25 — HELL FIRE 5, PRAYERS 4

Lange’s Two Homers Sink Sacramento in Late‑Inning Collapse

Sacramento’s offense finally woke up — briefly — but San Antonio slugger Aaron Lange was a one-man wrecking crew on Tuesday. Lange launched two home runs and drove in four, accounting for nearly all of San Antonio’s offense in a 5-4 victory. Sacramento showed a brief pulse in the 4th inning when Sam Strauss tripled home a run and Alvaro Velasquez crushed a two-run homer to give the Prayers a temporary 3-2 lead. However, the bullpen couldn't hold it.

Aaron Lange's second homer, a two-run shot in the eighth off Gil Caliari, flipped a 3–3 tie into a 5–3 Hell Fire lead that Sacramento never fully recovered from. Sacramento clawed to within one late, but seven walks and missed opportunities haunted them — Prayers scratched across a run in the ninth but left the tying run aboard as closer Fernando Urquizo slammed the door, handing Sacramento its second straight one-run loss.

“Nice win for us,” Lange said. “Now we’ll go after the next one.” And they did.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 — HELL FIRE 2, PRAYERS 1

Almendarez Outduels Larson as Sacramento Drops Sixth in Seven Games

The sweep was completed on Wednesday in another low-scoring affair. The finale was another tight, frustrating loss, a proverbial final twist of the knife, with San Antonio’s Fernando Almendarez outdueling Robby Larson in a 2–1 Hell Fire victory.

Larson pitched well — 8 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs (1 earned) — but the Prayers again failed to benefit from traffic, leaving seven runners on base and grounding into two more double plays. Sacramento’s lone run came in the fourth, when Javier Rodriguez punched a two‑out RBI single. But San Antonio answered in the seventh with a sacrifice fly from Jose Casillas capitalizing on runners at second and third with nobody out, and that was enough. The Prayers collected nine hits, including two from Hector Iniguez and a double from Velasquez, and put two men on in the 9th, but never found the knockout blow. San Antonio closer Casey Clifford — who beat Sacramento in Monday’s extra‑inning game — slammed the door and earned his third save of the series.

★ ★ ★

SERIES TAKEAWAYS

1. The Offense Has Hit a Wall
Across the three‑game sweep, Sacramento scored just five runs and went 0‑for‑a‑series in high‑leverage moments.

2. Starting Pitching Deserved Better
- Rubalcava: 8 IP, 0 ER
- Andretti: battled but undone by homers
- Larson: 8 IP, 1 ER

3. Double Plays Are Killing Momentum
The Prayers grounded into nine double plays in three games — a staggering number for a team built on speed and pressure.

4. Hernandez and Murguia Cooling Off
Both outfielders, so hot earlier in April, combined for just three hits in the series.

5. A Brutal Stretch of Schedule
Sacramento has now lost six of their last seven, their first real slump of 1989.

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: Where has the Power Gone?

The absence of Bret Perez (tailbone) is starting to be felt in the middle of the order. While A. Valadez has played admirably at third base, the "clutch gene" seems to be missing. The Prayers grounded into a staggering seven double plays over the three-game set, killing every potential rally before it could start.

The Prayers remain in a strong position in the standings, but this Texas trip serves as a wake-up call: elite pitching only wins games if the bats provide a cushion. Elite pitching kept Sacramento in every contest. The problem? Timely hitting never arrived.

★ ★ ★

UP NEXT

The Prayers return home for a four‑game set against the Seattle Lucifers, closing out the month of April. With the offense sputtering and the bullpen showing signs of fatigue, Sacramento will look to rediscover the formula that carried them to a 16–4 start.

The season is long, but this week in Texas will linger — and the Prayers know it.

[liberty-ca]

BNN SERIES RECAP — APRIL 27–30, 1989
Series Split: Murguia and Musco Save Prayers from Lucifers' Curse
By C.O.Pilot, Chad G. Petey News Network (BNN), and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

SACRAMENTO — It was a tale of two offenses at Sacramento Stadium this weekend. The Sacramento Prayers wrapped up April with a four‑game home set against the Seattle Lucifers — a series that mirrored the club’s uneven month. While the Sacramento Prayers (18-11) managed to split the four-game set with the Seattle Lucifers, the series highlighted both the brilliance of the pitching staff and the worrying silence of the bats. Sacramento dropped two shutouts, won a slugfest, and needed extra innings to salvage the finale. Thanks to a heroic performance by Eli Murguia and a dramatic walk-off from Edwin Musco, Sacramento escaped with a 2-2 series result and maintained their narrow lead in the West.

Sacramento ends April at 18–11 overall, just a half‑game ahead of Tucson.

★ ★ ★

THURSDAY, APRIL 27 — LUCIFERS 3, PRAYERS 0

Sanderson Stifles Prayers in Opener; Offense Shut Out Again

The series started on a sour note as Seattle’s Ray Sanderson completely shut down the Sacramento lineup. Seattle right-hander Ray Sanderson carved through the Prayers with deliberate precision, scattering three hits across six scoreless innings and never allowing the home crowd to find its voice. Sacramento threatened early and often in theory, but every promising moment dissolved — a shallow fly here, a soft grounder there. The Prayers managed only four singles all night in a 3-0 shutout loss — their second shutout in four games.

The decisive sequence came in the fourth inning, when Russ Gray Mark Mayeski with runners aboard delivered the key swing. Russ Gray (6.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 K) pitched well enough to win, but received zero run support. Sacramento managed just four hits, grounded into a double play, and left six runners aboard. By the time Seattle added a run in the seventh, the game had already taken on its final shape: Seattle dictating pace, Sacramento chasing shadows.

The Prayers walked off having been shut out at home, a rare and uncomfortable feeling for a club that thrives on early momentum. The slump was officially becoming a trend.

★ ★ ★

FRIDAY, APRIL 28 — PRAYERS 6, LUCIFERS 5

Murguia Sparks Early Explosion; Sacramento Holds On

Sacramento found their rhythm on Friday. Led by a monster performance from Eli Murguia, the Prayers struck early and hard, detonating a five-run third inning that finally cracked Seattle’s pitching wall. Eli Murguia put on a show, launching a solo homer in the 1st and following up with a 2-run double in a massive 3rd, powering Sacramento to a much‑needed 6–5 win.

Seattle refused to fold. They chipped back with doubles, singles, and pressure, pushing Sacramento’s bullpen into uncomfortable territory. Fernando Salazar gutted through 6.2 innings, bending but not breaking, and when Seattle mounted a late push, the game tightened into a familiar Sacramento script: hold on. Luis Prieto closed it with his ninth save, surrendering a run but slamming the door just in time. It wasn’t clean, but it was necessary. It wasn’t pretty, but it stopped the bleeding.

★ ★ ★

SATURDAY, APRIL 29 — LUCIFERS 1, PRAYERS 0

Huichapa Dominates as Sacramento Is Shut Out Again

In a game that felt like a repeat of Monday's loss in San Antonio, Jordan Rubalcava was nearly perfect. He went 8 innings, allowing only 3 hits and zero earned runs. However, a Sacramento error led to the game's only run, and Seattle pitcher Nelson Huichapa was even better, striking out eight. The Prayers fell 1-0, managing just two hits and never advancing a runner past second base. Sacramento’s lineup never found rhythm, never found timing, and never found space. What made the loss sting was how close it always felt. Errors crept in. Opportunities vanished. The Prayers finished the night with more miscues than hits, and when the final out settled into a glove, Sacramento had been shut out at home for the second time in three nights.

The Prayers’ offense, once feared for its pressure and speed, had gone ice‑cold.

★ ★ ★

SUNDAY, APRIL 30 — PRAYERS 5, LUCIFERS 4 (10 INNINGS)

Musco’s Walk-Off Heroics in Extras; Murguia Stays Red‑Hot

The finale was an emotional roller coaster. In a game Sacramento desperately needed, the Prayers showed late‑inning grit to steal a 5–4 win in extras. After Eli Murguia single-handedly kept the team in the game with a triple and a 2-run home run, the bullpen blew a 2-1 lead in the 8th. The game went to the 10th, where struggling second baseman Edwin Musco finally broke his slump with a thunderous RBI double to the gap, scoring Alex Vieyra for the 5-4 walk-off victory. Bernardo Andretti** delivered 6.2 strong innings, allowing just one run.

★ ★ ★

APRIL TAKEAWAYS

1. The Offense Is a Problem
- Team AVG: .223 (11th in AL)
- Last 10 games: 3–7
- Shut out three times in the final week of April
- Musco (.033 last 8) and Martinez (.048 last 6) are dragging the middle and bottom of the order
- Valadez (.136) and Vieyra (.138) continue to struggle

2. The Rotation Is Carrying the Franchise
- Best starters’ ERA in the AL (2.43)
- Gray, Rubalcava, Larson, and Salazar all under 2.25 ERA

3. Murguia Is the MVP of April
- .314 AVG
- 18 RBI
- 7 extra‑base hits in the last week alone
- The only consistent bat in the lineup

4. Prieto Is Human
- 9 saves, but ERA up to 3.71
- Heavy workload showing
- Still the most trusted arm in the bullpen

5. Sacramento Ends April in First Place — Barely
- 18–11 (.621)
- Tucson just ½ game back
- Seattle and Fort Worth lurking at 14–15

★ ★ ★

Gemmy’s Take: A "Prayerful" Finish to April

The Prayers finish April at 16-11 (18-11 overall), a record most fans would have taken in a heartbeat on Opening Day. However, the offense is officially on life support. Outside of Murguia, the lineup is hitting a combined average that looks more like a bowling score.

The good news? Bret Perez is eligible to return soon. The bad news? The Prayers now head to Tucson for a three-game "Clash for the Coast" against the Cherubs. If Sacramento doesn't find their bats in the desert, they won't be in first place for long.

★ ★ ★

UP NEXT — MAY BEGINS WITH A TEST

The Prayers open May on the road:

@ Tucson (May 1–3)
- A direct battle for first place
- Sacramento’s rotation is fatigued
- Tucson is surging

@ Washington (May 5–7)
- Devils have elite pitching
- A tough follow‑up to a tough road opener

The Prayers survived April. May will demand more.