Sacramento Prayers - 1988 FLB Season

[liberty-ca]

✉️ Prayers Fan Mailbag: May’s Mounting Injuries and Pitching Resilience 🤕

April was pure fantasy, but May brought the Sacramento Prayers (38-16) crashing back to reality. The team finished the month with a modest 16-13 record, bringing their overall winning percentage down from the stratosphere, but still maintaining the best record in the American League.

We dive into your questions about the team's health crisis, the pitching staff’s resilience, and the players stepping up.


Dear Prayers Mailbag, May was a bumpy month, especially with all the injuries. We lost Musco and now Murguia is out for two months! How does the team survive missing its two best hitters?
— Danielle from Dixon

Danielle, this is the million-dollar question heading into June. Losing Edwin Musco (top hitter, 11 HR) was a massive blow, but losing Eli Murguia (team AVG/RBI leader) for two months is catastrophic.

The only way the team survives is through elite pitching and the emergence of two key players:

1. Alex Velasquez: He has completely stepped up, finishing May tied with Murguia for the team lead in 34 RBIs and tying Bret Perez for the team lead in home runs (9). He is the new foundation of the offense.
2. Bret Perez: He continues to be a star (.297 AVG, 9 HR, AL-leading 18 SB). He needs to maintain his multi-tool production in the leadoff spot.

The reality is, the rest of the lineup needs to collectively replace Musco's and Murguia's 400+ average points and 68 RBIs. It’s going to be tough, especially with the second base position being a black hole right now.


The team still has the best ERA in the AL (2.77) despite the starters getting tired. How have Jordan Rubalcava and Russ Gray managed to stay so good even as their pitch counts and fatigue mount?
— Steve in Sutter Creek

Steve, it's a testament to their talent and perhaps a little bit of luck! They truly are a fantastic 1-2 punch.

• Rubalcava (9-2, 1.94 ERA) is an innings eater who somehow maintains a sub-2.00 ERA. His last two starts, including a masterful 8.1 IP one-run gem on May 31st, show his determination.
• Gray (8-2, 1.99 ERA) continues to be hyper-efficient. The coaching staff is smart to give him extra rest, as his effectiveness is too valuable to risk.

However, nearly the entire rotation is tired and that is a huge red flag. The team needs their long relievers (David Garza at 0.39 ERA) and setup man (Matt Wright at 2.81 ERA) to be ready to eat up more innings in June to protect those starters.


I was really worried when Jordan Rubalcava had that terrible start in Seattle (7 ER). Was that just a one-off, or is he actually running out of gas?
— Melissa from Midtown

Melissa, it was a major concern at the time, but he answered it emphatically! That 7-run outing against the Lucifers was clearly an anomaly, as he bounced back in his very next start on May 31st to throw 8.1 innings of one-run ball.

I think the fatigue is real — the wear and tear of May is showing — but his Seattle start looks like a blip in an otherwise superb season. The real key will be how he and the rest of the staff perform on the upcoming road trip.


Is there any good news about the injured players? What about Fernando Salazar—is he going to be the new ace?
— Ricardo in Roseville

Ricardo, the injury news is all bad, unfortunately. Musco and Murguia are out for the long haul, and even the backups like Iniguez are still struggling.

The good news is Fernando Salazar (5-3, 2.45 ERA) is certainly rising to the occasion! He was the staff's "Who's Hot?" pitcher to end May, confirming his spot as the solid third starter. He is well rested, which means he should be the most dependable arm for the Prayers in the first week of June. If he continues his current pace, he could very well be the co-ace alongside Gray and Rubalcava.


The team closed May only 5.0 games up, and the Lucifers are chasing hard. Are we still favorites to win the AL West despite the injuries?
— Jessica from Jackson

Jessica, absolutely. While the 5.0 game lead isn't the insurmountable margin we saw in April, the Prayers are still 38-16 with a commanding division lead. They are an elite team with the best run differential (Runs Scored 260 vs. Runs Allowed 157) in the league.

The upcoming road trip against the Washington Devils (a terrible team) is a huge opportunity to cushion that lead while they still have the pitching to dominate. If they can sweep Washington, they’ll create some breathing room that will be desperately needed when the injuries truly test their depth in mid-to-late June.

[liberty-ca]

Sacramento Prayers Update: June Opens with Series Win, Valadez Steps Up
By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (40-17) opened the month of June with a successful road trip, taking two of three games from the Washington Devils (21-36). The team overcame a heart-breaking extra-inning loss in the opener to bounce back with two straight dominant pitching performances, maintaining a 5.0 game lead in the AL West.

Road Trip Recap (2-1)

Pitching Staff: Workhorses Deliver

The starters who were showing fatigue at the end of May stepped up in a huge way on the road, securing the series win despite the opener being a tough loss.

• Russ Gray (9-2, 2.01 ERA): The team's ace delivered on Thursday, earning his 9th win and continuing his phenomenal season. He pitched 8.1 innings, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits. He demonstrated impressive stamina, throwing 92 pitches and keeping his ERA barely above 2.00.
• Bernardo Andretti (5-4, 3.47 ERA): Andretti was the Player of the Game in the finale, throwing a gem with 7.2 scoreless innings on Friday to improve his record to 5-4.
• Fernando Salazar (4-4, 2.61 ERA): Salazar pitched valiantly in the opener, going 8.2 innings and holding the Devils to 4 runs. Unfortunately, the bullpen faltered. Luis Prieto took his 4th loss, giving up the walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning, slightly raising his ERA to 4.01. He quickly rebounded to grab his 19th save in the finale.

Offense: Valadez Steps Into the Spotlight

With Musco and Murguia out, the Prayers needed new players to step into run-production roles, and Andres Valadez (.242 AVG) answered the call.

• Andres Valadez had a breakout day on Thursday, hitting his 5th home run and driving in 3 RBIs to power the 7-3 victory. He now has 18 RBIs on the season.
• Alex Velasquez (.272 AVG) continues to be the most reliable slugger, hitting his 10th home run (tied for the team lead) in the June 1st loss, raising his team-leading RBI total to 36.
• Bret Perez (.300 AVG) had another strong series, recording his 20th stolen base on Thursday, further solidifying his status as a multi-tool threat.
• The Prayers did struggle with consistency, going only 6-for-36 with runners in scoring position in the final two games. The loss of Musco and Murguia in the middle of the order is clearly taking its toll.

Key Lineup Adjustments

The lineup continues to be fluid due to the injuries:

• Bret Perez has shifted from DH to the shortstop and second base positions to cover for injured players, while Luis Martinez saw time at third base.
• Francisco Hernandez and Camden Liston are now receiving regular playing time in the outfield as they attempt to replace Murguia's production.

Upcoming Home Series

The Prayers return home for a three-game series against the Tucson Cherubs (25-29), another lower-tier opponent, to round out the first week of June. This will be a critical series for generating offensive rhythm and giving the exhausted aces some much-needed rest.

• Saturday, 6/4: Jordan Rubalcava (9-2, 1.94 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Tucson's RHP M. Bradford.
• Sunday, 6/5: Fernando Salazar (4-4, 2.61 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against RHP J. Segura.

[liberty-ca]

SACRAMENTO AT WASHINGTON — “CONTROL, COMPOSURE, AND A COSTLY MISSTEP
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

June did not open gently for the Sacramento Prayers. It opened honestly.

Across three nights at Devils Pit, the league’s standard-bearer played a series that revealed exactly what this month is going to demand: precision, patience, and the ability to absorb frustration without letting it fester. Sacramento left Washington with two wins, one gut-punch loss, and a reinforced understanding that even when they are better, the margin is still thin.

They are now 40–17. Still first. Still elite. Still learning.


GAME 1 — June 1
Devils 5, Prayers 4 (10 innings)

This was the kind of loss that lingers because it shouldn’t have happened — and because it absolutely could.

Fernando Salazar was every bit the ace. Eight and two-thirds, 106 pitches, command on both edges, and the kind of calm that silences a crowd even when runs cross the plate. He allowed four, but none came easily, and none came without consequence for Washington’s bats.

Sacramento did enough early to win. Andres Velasquez launched his 10th homer. Mendoza delivered a two-out double. The Prayers led, fought back, and carried a tie into extra innings with the better pitcher, the better roster, and the better season.

They didn’t carry it home.

Luis Prieto, normally so steady, was nicked in the 10th. Rob Jobson’s two-out single ended it. A game Sacramento had controlled slipped sideways in a single moment.

It was June baseball in its rawest form: one pitch, one mistake, one loss that counts the same as any other — but feels heavier because of what preceded it.


GAME 2 — June 2
Prayers 7, Devils 3

If the opener tested resolve, the response restored order.

Russ Gray delivered the exact game Sacramento needed: eight-plus innings, no drama, ground balls when required, and zero tolerance for momentum swings. His ninth win came quietly, the way Gray prefers it — earned, not announced.

Offensively, the Prayers struck with patience and timing. Andres Valadez flipped the game in the fourth with a two-run homer, then added a single later. Ben Perez ran, hit, and controlled the middle. Sacramento scored seven without chasing, forcing Washington to pitch from behind and stay there.

This was the Prayers at their most professional: no excess, no panic, no opening left uncovered.


GAME 3 — June 3
Prayers 2, Devils 0

By Friday night, the series had turned into a statement about identity.

Bernardo Andretti was surgical. Seven and two-thirds, five hits, no runs. He filled the zone, induced weak contact, and never once let Washington believe a rally was possible. The Devils reached. They never threatened.

The offense did just enough. A sac fly. A clean RBI single. Four hits total — and complete control regardless.

Luis Prieto closed it out without incident, sealing a win that felt less like a victory and more like a declaration: this is how Sacramento survives June.


SERIES THEMES — JUNE TAKES SHAPE

• Pitching remains the spine. Salazar, Gray, and Andretti combined for 24.2 innings of authority. Even the loss was anchored by excellence.
• The margin is narrowing. Sacramento outplayed Washington decisively — and still lost one. That reality will follow them all month.
• Depth matters now. With Murguia still absent, the offense cannot coast. Timing, baserunning, and situational execution are no longer optional.
• Response defines contenders. The Prayers did not spiral after Wednesday. They recalibrated.

The Prayers leave Washington exactly where contenders want to be: winning series, absorbing lessons, and not pretending perfection is the goal.
June isn’t about dominance. It’s about endurance.
And Sacramento, so far, looks built for the long stretch ahead.

[liberty-ca]

Bounce-Back Series Win Overshadowed by Pitching Collapse
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

The Sacramento Prayers (42-18) concluded their home series against the Tucson Cherubs (28-32) by taking two of three games, maintaining their position atop the AL West. However, the series was a roller coaster of dominant pitching and shocking implosion.

The Prayers finished the week 4-2, maintaining their 5.0 game lead in the division..


GAME 1 — June 4
Cherubs 11, Prayers 1

This was the game that stopped the room.

Tucson didn’t just win — they overwhelmed. J.J. Costner punished mistakes with two home runs. The Cherubs stacked extra-base hits, ambushed early pitches, and turned a competitive game into a runaway with a seven-run seventh inning that emptied the suspense and quieted the crowd.

Austin Gilbert never found a rhythm. When the bullpen entered, Tucson only accelerated. Sacramento’s offense, meanwhile, produced traffic but no finish — eight left on base, no answers once Bradford settled in.

Jimmy Aces said it plainly afterward: “It was a tough night at the plate.”

It was more than that. It was the kind of night June schedules hand contenders to see how they carry it forward.


GAME 2 — June 5
Prayers 3, Cherubs 2 (Walk-Off)

They carried it one pitch at a time.

Jordan Rubalcava was brilliant in quiet fashion: eight innings, four hits, no earned runs, and complete control of Tucson’s timing. It was the kind of outing that deserved more breathing room than it received.
Instead, the game tightened. Tucson tied it late. Luis Prieto bent but didn’t break. The tension settled into the stands.

Then Camden Liston ended it.
One swing. First pitch. Bottom of the ninth. A solo shot into the Sacramento evening that turned frustration into release. It was Liston’s only hit — and the only one that mattered.

The Prayers didn’t celebrate wildly. They exhaled.


GAME 3 — June 6
Prayers 7, Cherubs 1

Fernando Salazar made sure there would be no ambiguity.
Eight innings. Three hits. One unearned run. Complete authority. Tucson reached base and stayed there, stranded again and again as Salazar worked through traffic without surrendering momentum.

Sacramento backed him early. Three runs in the first. Another in the third. Damage added in the fourth and fifth. It was relentless but controlled — the Prayers scoring with purpose, not panic.
By the time the Cherubs loaded the bases in the fourth, the game already belonged to Sacramento. Salazar’s sacrifice fly concession felt ceremonial, not threatening.

This was the response June demands.


SERIES THEMES — THE SHAPE OF JUNE

• Blowouts happen. Even to the league’s best. What matters is what follows.
• Pitching steadies everything. Rubalcava and Salazar combined for 16 dominant innings when the series could have tilted.
• The offense doesn’t need volume — it needs timing. Sacramento scored 11 runs in two wins without ever chasing the game.
• Composure is the currency now. The Prayers spent some of it Saturday — and earned it back Sunday and Monday.


THE JUNE REALITY

June is no longer theoretical. It’s loud nights, short turnarounds, and opponents with nothing to lose. The Prayers felt all of that this weekend — the embarrassment, the tension, and the calm that follows when they return to themselves.

They leave the series still on top, still learning, and fully aware that this month will not be kind — only fair. And Sacramento looks ready to meet it.

[liberty-ca]

SACRAMENTO AT BROOKLYN — “SILENCED, STRETCHED, AND SET STRAIGHT”
Prayers Power Through Priests, But Injuries Mount in Brooklyn
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (44-19) wrapped up a tough road trip by taking two of three games from the Brooklyn Priests (29-34). While they secured the series win and improved to a season-best 25 games over .500, the team faced demoralizing loss and disturbing injury news.

Brooklyn didn’t roll out a welcome mat. They rolled out resistance.

Over three uneven nights at Priests Grounds, the Sacramento Prayers were shut down, stretched to their limits, and then reminded everyone — including themselves — why they sit where they do in the standings. The series ends with Sacramento taking two of three, but not without friction, fatigue, and a few dents along the way.

June, once again, refused to be simple. The series started with a cold thud, but the team's resilience shone through in two marathon victories.


GAME 1 — June 8
Priests 8, Prayers 0

This one never found daylight.

Alex Mendoza didn’t overpower Sacramento so much as he erased them. He worked quickly, lived on the edges, and never let the Prayers string together a breath, let alone a rally. Six hits. Two walks. Nine innings of control that felt longer than the line score suggested.

Sacramento’s dugout grew quiet by the middle innings — not frustrated, just muted. Every hard contact seemed to find a glove. Every hopeful count ended in soft contact.

Jimmy Aces didn’t dodge it afterward.
“That’s what it looks like when your energy doesn’t show up,” he said. “Sometimes that’s on you. Sometimes it’s because the guy on the mound takes it from you. Tonight, Mendoza took it.”

Brooklyn played clean, opportunistic baseball. Sacramento walked off knowing they’d been outplayed in every phase.


GAME 2 — June 9
Prayers 3, Priests 2 (14 innings)

If Wednesday was silence, Thursday was endurance.

Fourteen innings. Seven walks surrendered by Brooklyn starter Emmanuel Abrego. Countless missed chances on both sides. It was the kind of game that felt less like baseball and more like a test of attention span.

Sacramento scratched one run early, another late, and then spent hours watching opportunities dissolve. Brooklyn did the same. The bullpen doors opened and closed. The night air thickened.

Finally, Logan Hicks stepped into a moment that hadn’t belonged to anyone all night. His single in the 14th inning wasn’t loud or dramatic — just precise. Enough.

Afterward, Hicks framed it less as heroics and more as gratitude.
“You stand around that long, you realize how rare these chances are,” he said. “If you get one pitch you can use, you don’t waste it.”

The game ended quietly. Exhaustedly. Sacramento walked off the field with a win that felt heavier than most.

The cost would come later — Luis Prieto exiting with an injury — but the Prayers left knowing they’d survived something draining.


GAME 3 — June 10
Prayers 5, Priests 0

Jordan Rubalcava didn’t leave room for debate.

In steady rain and shifting wind, he delivered one of his most businesslike performances of the season: 7.1 scoreless innings, traffic managed, tempo dictated, Brooklyn never allowed to believe.

The offense backed him early. Sam Strauss lifted a sacrifice fly in the first inning, setting a tone that Sacramento would never relinquish. Strauss stayed aggressive all afternoon, later saying the approach was intentional.
“You don’t wait your way out of nights like yesterday,” he said. “You swing with purpose.”

Sacramento did just that. They didn’t overwhelm Brooklyn — they outlasted them, then pulled away with patience and doubles into wet gaps.
By the final out, the Priests Grounds crowd had thinned, the rain steady, and the Prayers looked whole again.


SERIES THREADS — WHAT BROOKLYN TOOK, AND WHAT IT GAVE BACK

• The league can still quiet Sacramento — briefly. Mendoza proved that.
• Depth matters in June. A 14-inning win doesn’t happen without bullpen trust.
• Rubalcava is anchoring something real. Ten wins now, and pitching like it’s repeatable.
• This team adjusts quickly. A shutout loss turned into two wins without panic.


THE JUNE SHAPE, CONTINUED

Brooklyn didn’t fold. They pushed. They extended. They exposed fatigue and forced Sacramento to answer in different ways across three nights.
The Prayers answered — not cleanly, not effortlessly, but honestly.

At 44–19, they move on carrying both the reminder of how quiet things can get, and the reassurance that when the days stretch long, they still know how to finish.
June keeps asking questions. Sacramento keeps responding.

Injury Watch: Two Key Arms Down

The Prayers are entering a terrifying phase: their offense is already decimated by the injuries to Musco and Murguia, and now their pitching staff is showing cracks. The loss of Luis Prieto (19 SV) could expose the bullpen depth, while Aaron Gilbert's poor start on Saturday raises concerns about his ability to hold the 4th spot in the rotation.

The team desperately needs Prieto's injury to be minor.

[liberty-ca]

SAN JOSE AT SACRAMENTO — “DEPTH, POISE, AND A LATE PUNCH”
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

June keeps revealing who the Sacramento Prayers really are.

Over three games against the San Jose Demons, the Prayers didn’t overwhelm with flash or perfection. Instead, they won with timing, pitching depth, and a calm belief that the game would eventually tilt their way. It did — three times.

By Monday night, Sacramento had pushed its record to 47–19, extended its winning streak, and quietly sent another message across the American League: this team does not panic, and it does not need to play its best baseball to win.


SATURDAY, JUNE 11 — WAITING FOR THE MOMENT
Prayers 8, Demons 5

For seven innings, Sacramento was being out-hit, out-muscled, and — briefly — outplayed. Bryan Campen put on a one-man clinic, driving in four runs and reminding everyone why San Jose remains dangerous. But the Prayers never chased the game.

In the bottom of the eighth, with the bases loaded and the stadium holding its breath, Andres Valadez delivered the swing that flipped the afternoon — a bases-clearing double that turned a 5–3 deficit into a 6–5 lead. Moments later, the dam broke. Sacramento scored five in the inning, turning patience into payoff.

Matt Wright slammed the door, and what looked like a frustrating loss became another reminder of Sacramento’s late-game spine.

“Thrilled the fans had something to get excited about,” Valadez said afterward — underselling what felt like a tone-setter for the series.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12 — ONE RUN WAS ENOUGH
Prayers 1, Demons 0

If Saturday was about waiting, Sunday was about trusting.

Aaron Gilbert delivered one of the quietest and most important starts of the season — 5⅔ scoreless innings, four hits, and complete control of the pace. The bullpen followed suit, and the Prayers protected a single run as if it were ten.

That run came in the second inning, courtesy of Roberto Cardenas, whose RBI single proved to be the difference. He finished 3-for-3, doing exactly what this lineup has learned to do in tight games: cash in when the window opens.

The crowd felt it early — this was not a game that required more.

“We have a lot of confidence in Aaron,” manager Jimmy Aces said, and the box score backed him up.

MONDAY, JUNE 13 — ANDRETTI MAKES A STATEMENT
Prayers 9, Demons 3

The finale belonged to Bernardo Andretti.

With Sacramento riding momentum and San Jose searching for answers, Andretti erased doubt. He scattered one hit over 7⅔ innings, silencing the Demons and turning the night into a showcase of control and command.

The offense followed with its most complete effort of the series. Francisco Hernández homered, Sacramento ran aggressively, and the lineup stacked quality at-bats until the game tilted decisively by the middle innings.

By the time San Jose scratched three late runs, the outcome was already settled. This was Sacramento dictating terms.

“We did more than enough to get the win,” Andretti said — and he was right.

THE BIGGER JUNE PICTURE

This wasn’t a dominant series in the traditional sense. Sacramento was out-hit on Saturday. They won a 1–0 game on Sunday. They leaned on depth Monday. But that’s the point. Through injuries, fatigue, and the grind of June, the Prayers keep finding different ways to win.

• Late-inning offense when patience is required
• Shutdown pitching when margins are thin
• Rotation depth stepping forward at the right time

At 47–19, the Prayers are no longer just surviving the early summer. They’re shaping it. And June — once framed as a test — is starting to look like another chapter of control.

[liberty-ca]

Disaster Strikes! Prayers Face Mid-Season Injury Nightmare
By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (44-19) are facing their toughest challenge yet as the injury report delivered a devastating blow today, confirming long-term absences for critical pieces of the roster. The team's trainer, Julio Pratts, confirmed that the club's fortunes will rest on its depth for the foreseeable future.

The Pitching Crisis: Closer Luis Prieto Out

The Prayers' dominant pitching staff has taken a major hit with the diagnosis of closer Luis Prieto (19 SV). He was diagnosed with forearm tendinitis and is expected to spend 2-3 weeks on the IL.

This is a serious setback for a bullpen that has been leaned upon heavily. Losing the league's top closer means high-leverage situations will now fall to setup man Matt Wright (2.55 ERA) and long-reliever David Garza (0.71 ERA), both of whom must now transition into late-inning roles.

The question facing manager Jimmy Aces is who gets the ball in the 9th. Prieto’s injury means every late-inning lead just got significantly harder to protect.

The Offensive Black Hole: Musco and Murguia Stay on IL

The team was hoping for a swift return for their star second baseman, but the timeline has been confirmed, compounding the long-term loss of their RBI leader.

Edwin Musco (2B) is still 2-3 weeks away from active duty with elbow tendinitis. Musco's .360 AVG and 11 HRs are sorely missed at the top of the lineup. The patchwork at 2B (currently H. Iniguez) must hold.

Eli Murguia (LF) is expected to [B]miss 8 weeks of action on IL with fractured finger. The loss of the team's RBI leader for most of the summer means players like Valadez, Velasquez, and Perez must carry the run production burden.

"I don't make excuses, but the reality is we are missing the heart of our offense and now the arm of our bullpen," a source close to the club commented. "The first half of June is going to be about survival. We have banked a lot of wins, but that savings account is starting to look thin."

The Road Ahead: Survival Mode Activated

With two of the team's best offensive players and their lights-out closer out, the team's early-season success now feels precarious.

• The starting rotation (Rubalcava, Gray, Salazar) must pitch deep into games to protect a taxed bullpen.
• Alex Velasquez (11 HR, 38 RBI) and Bret Perez (22 SB, .307 AVG) must not only maintain their production but potentially elevate it.
• The team needs continued surprise contributions from players like Camden Liston (walk-off HR) and Andres Valadez (clutch HRs) to generate runs.

[liberty-ca]

Prayers Power Through Priests, But Injuries Mount in Brooklyn
By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (44-19) wrapped up a tough road trip by taking two of three games from the Brooklyn Priests (29-34). While they secured the series win and improved to a season-best 25 games over .500, the team faced a demoralizing shutout loss and disturbing injury news that threatens their dominance.

Wednesday's Shutout: Tipping the Cap to Mendoza

The series started with a cold thud on Wednesday as the Prayers were blanked 8-0 by Brooklyn starter Alex Mendoza. Sacramento manager Jimmy Aces was blunt about the performance: "We didn't have good at-bats. I don't make excuses, but when we were playing the game, our energy didn't show. That comes from either extremely good pitching or extremely lousy hitting and seeing as our team has a bunch of good hitters, I have to tip my cap to [Alex] Mendoza." Starting pitcher Bernardo Andretti (5-5) struggled with control and errors, leading to the bullpen collapsing later in the game.

Thursday's Marathon: Hicks Delivers in the 14th

The team showed incredible resilience on Thursday, battling for 14 innings to scratch out a gritty 3-2 victory. Starting pitcher Russ Gray (2.08 ERA) was solid through 5.2 innings, but the game turned into a war of attrition for the bullpens.

The biggest moment belonged to Logan Hicks (.233 AVG), who came in as a pinch-runner replacement and delivered the game-winning hit—a run-scoring single in the top of the 14th inning. Hicks, who finished with the game-winning RBI, told the Sacramento Sports Chronicle: "Being able to play a game for a living is one thing. Being able to play it well and contribute to a win is even better." Camden Liston (.198 AVG) provided an earlier spark with a crucial solo home run.

Crucially, the win was credited to reliever Gil Caliari (1-0), but the victory was overshadowed by the injury to closer Luis Prieto, who was forced to leave the game while pitching, raising immediate alarm bells for the bullpen.

Friday's Gem: Rubalcava and Strauss Dominate

The Prayers bounced back from the marathon with a confident 5-0 shutout win on Friday, thanks to a masterful performance on the mound and key hits in the heart of the order.

• Jordan Rubalcava (10-2) was the Player of the Game, earning his **10th win** with a superb 7.1 scoreless innings. His league-leading ERA dropped to an incredible 1.64.
• Sam Strauss (.282 AVG) was the offensive MVP, racking up three hits, including two doubles, and driving in a run with a sacrifice fly. Strauss said his team "played with determination."
• Bret Perez (.307 AVG) continued to thrive, reaching base multiple times and swiping his 13th stolen base.

The Looming Crisis: Prieto and Musco Out

The loss of two of their best offensive players and their premier closer simultaneously means the 50-win Prayers must enter survival mode. The starting rotation must continue to pitch deep into games, and the struggling offense must find consistent production from role players like Hector Iniguez and Camden Liston.

[liberty-ca]

FBL Standings - June 17 - 1988

[liberty-ca]

SACRAMENTO AT EL PASO
Three Games, Three Wins, Business Handled
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

Sacramento’s visit to El Paso was straightforward and efficient. The Prayers swept the three-game set, outscoring the Abbots 25–8 and extending their winning streak while continuing a strong June run. There were no late twists or narrow escapes — just consistent pitching, timely offense, and clean defense.


Friday, June 17 — Prayers 7, Abbots 2

After falling behind early, Sacramento took control in the middle innings and never let it go. Hector Iniguez drove the offense, delivering extra-base hits that flipped the game in the second and seventh innings. Andres Valadez added key damage with a run-scoring double and a solo homer.

Aaron Gilbert steadied things after a rocky first inning, working into the seventh before turning the game over to David Garza, who finished it without issue. Sacramento limited mistakes and capitalized on scoring chances, setting the tone for the weekend.


Saturday, June 18 — Prayers 15, Abbots 6

Saturday’s game was decided early. Sacramento jumped out in the first inning and kept adding on, forcing El Paso to play from behind all afternoon. Luis Martinez’s three-run homer in the third inning effectively put the game out of reach.

The lineup produced runs up and down the order, mixing extra-base hits with patience at the plate. Bernardo Andretti wasn’t sharp but didn’t need to be, as the offense provided a comfortable cushion and the bullpen closed it out cleanly.


Sunday, June 19 — Prayers 3, Abbots 0

The finale was the quietest game of the series and arguably the cleanest. Russ Gray controlled the game from the start, working six scoreless innings and keeping El Paso off balance throughout. The bullpen followed suit, preserving the shutout.

Alex Mendoza’s solo home run opened the scoring, and Iniguez added insurance late. Sacramento managed only four hits, but it was enough with Gray setting the pace and the defense staying crisp behind him.


Series Takeaway

This was a road series played without drama. Sacramento pitched well, avoided big innings against them, and consistently did enough offensively to stay in front. The Prayers left El Paso with three wins, a longer streak, and no lingering questions — exactly what a first-place team looks for in mid-June.

Sacramento improved to 53–19 with the sweep.

[liberty-ca]

Eleven Straight Wins! Prayers Maintain Torrid Pace Despite Injuries
By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (53-19) are demonstrating historic resilience, sweeping the three-game road series against the El Paso Abbots (38-34) to extend their phenomenal winning streak to 11 consecutive games. The team is performing arguably their best baseball of the year, utterly defying the recent injury report.

Sacramento manager Jimmy Aces summed up the team's momentum: "We feel like we're going to win every game right now."

### Pitching: Dominance by the Veterans

The starting rotation is operating at an elite level, completely neutralizing the loss of closer Luis Prieto by taking the bullpen pressure off entirely.

• Russ Gray (11-2, 1.82 ERA): Gray was nothing short of marvelous on Sunday, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings of 5-hit ball with 7 strikeouts to secure his 11th win. He was rightly named Player of the Game, continuing his bid for the best season of his career.
• Aaron Gilbert (8-3, 3.90 ERA): Gilbert stepped up in the series opener, earning the win despite giving up two early home runs. He went 6.1 innings, demonstrating that he has stabilized after his recent struggles.
• Bernardo Andretti (7-5, 3.54 ERA): Andretti battled through 6.0 innings on Saturday to secure the win in the offensive explosion, showing grit even as he gave up 5 earned runs.
• The New Late-Inning Arms: The bullpen remained stellar. David Garza (0.62 ERA) secured the final outs in the opener and closed out the blowout on Saturday. Matt Wright (1.96 ERA) locked down the Sunday victory, earning his 3rd save in Prieto's absence.

Offense: Depth Delivers Power and Runs

With Edwin Musco and Eli Murguia out, the Prayers are getting massive run production from the middle and bottom of the lineup, proving their depth is championship caliber.

• Hector Iniguez (.240 AVG) was named Player of the Game in the opener, absolutely crushing the ball with two extra-base hits, including his 5th home run and 4 RBIs. The next day, he hit his 6th home run on Sunday. "Every time you put a 'W' on the board is always good," Iniguez remarked.
• Luis Martinez (.244 AVG) had the highlight of the blowout game, smashing a 3-run home run — his 7th — on Saturday. "Nice win for us. Now we'll go after the next one," he said.
• Andres Valadez (.216 AVG) also contributed serious power in the series opener, hitting a double and his 7th home run, driving in two runs.
• Alex Mendoza (.289 AVG) joined the home run parade on Sunday, hitting a solo shot — his 5th —t hat gave the Prayers a critical 1-0 lead.
• Saturday's Explosion: The offense was utterly relentless in the 15-6 victory, featuring four doubles, a triple, and a home run. Camden Liston (.213 AVG) and **Sam Strauss** (.286 AVG) each drove in 3 runs.

The Sacramento Prayers are playing with the confidence of an undeniable force, making the injury news a distant memory. The team appears comfortable with their makeshift lineup and bullpen roles.

[liberty-ca]

Prayers Lock Down Key Bullpen Arm: Gil Caliari Signs 4-Year Extension
By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (53-19) secured a valuable piece of their elite pitching staff today, announcing that relief pitcher Gil Caliari has signed a four-year contract extension.

Set to earn $1,080,000 over the next four years, the deal was reportedly driven by Caliari's loyalty to the organization, delighting fans who often worry about free agency driving talent away.

The signing comes at a critical time for the Prayers' bullpen, which is currently operating without injured closer Luis Prieto (forearm tendinitis). Caliari, who has been delivering high-leverage innings during the team's ongoing 12-game winning streak, is proving his worth as a reliable depth arm.

Caliari's Season Snapshot (Through June 23rd):

• Record: 1-0
• Appearances: 14
• ERA: 1.64

While his current role is to bridge the gap to the closer, Caliari's exceptional 1.64 ERA highlights his effectiveness in the middle and late innings. Locking him up cheaply for multiple years is a tremendous move for a team preparing for the cost of future free agents.

[liberty-ca]

COLUMBUS HEAVEN AT SACRAMENTO PRAYERS
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

June in Sacramento has followed a familiar rhythm: tight games, disciplined pitching, and just enough offense to let the Prayers dictate terms. Against a .500 Columbus Heaven club, that pattern held — even as the series briefly tested the margins that have made Sacramento baseball’s most consistent machine.


Game 1 — Tuesday, June 21
Prayers 3, Heaven 1

The streak lived because Jordan Rubalcava refused to let it die.

On a calm Tuesday night at Sacramento Stadium, Rubalcava delivered seven composed innings, scattering three hits and allowing a single run while working with the efficiency that has come to define his season. Columbus pushed only once — a sixth-inning double sequence — but never controlled the game.

The difference arrived quietly in the seventh. With the score tied and the crowd restless, Roberto Cardenas emerged from the bench and lined a two-run single, turning a stalemate into a statement. Sacramento’s bullpen did the rest, with Matt Wright locking down the ninth to preserve the Prayers’ 12th straight win.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t flashy. It was Sacramento baseball.


Game 2 — Wednesday, June 22
Heaven 6, Prayers 1

Every run streak ends somewhere.

Columbus starter Josh Schoedel bent but never broke, navigating traffic for over eight innings while holding Sacramento to a single run. The Heaven chipped away patiently, then broke things open late as Sacramento’s normally airtight pitching depth showed rare seams.

Fernando Salazar pitched well enough to win, but the Prayers’ defense faltered behind him, and Columbus capitalized on extra outs and late opportunities. Matt Troyer and Jim Roark supplied timely damage, and for one night, Sacramento looked human.

The loss snapped the streak, but it didn’t feel like a turning point — more a reminder that dominance still requires precision.


Game 3 — Thursday, June 23
Prayers 2, Heaven 1

If Wednesday was disruption, Thursday was restoration.

Francisco “Slicker” Hernandez authored the response: three doubles, a walk, two runs scored, and relentless pressure from the leadoff spot. He was everywhere — stretching singles into decisions, forcing throws, and setting the tempo the Prayers prefer.

Bernardo Andretti handled the middle innings with calm authority, and once Sacramento scratched out two runs, the formula snapped back into place. Vizcarra bridged. Wright finished. The door closed.

The finale carried a quiet cost — catcher Alex Mendoza exited after being hit by a pitch — but the larger message was unmistakable. Sacramento absorbed the stumble and immediately reasserted control.


Series Takeaway

This was not a sweep, but it felt like a reminder.

The Prayers didn’t overwhelm Columbus; they managed them. They lost once, adjusted immediately, and won the series behind pitching discipline and situational execution. Sacramento exited the set with a 9-game division lead, a refreshed sense of rhythm, and June continuing to bend in their direction.

For the rest of the league, the message stayed the same:

Beating the Prayers once is possible. Outlasting them still isn’t.

[liberty-ca]

Undefeated in the Face of Adversity! Prayers Sweep Messiahs to Reach 58-20
By Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (58-20) continue their scorching run, completing a dominant three-game sweep of the Boston Messiahs (35-43) on the road. The Prayers' remarkable pitching staff and clutch hitting have brought their record to a stunning 38 games over .500.

Pitching: The Big Three are Unstoppable

The starting rotation is delivering historic quality, completely stifling the opposition and making the loss of closer Luis Prieto a non-issue.

• Russ Gray (12-2, 1.70 ERA): The veteran ace set the tone on Friday, delivering 6.2 scoreless innings of seven-hit ball to earn his 12th win in the 2-1 pitching duel. Gray was the Player of the Game for his lights-out performance.
• Jordan Rubalcava (13-2, 1.56 ERA): Rubalcava followed suit on Sunday with a masterful outing, securing his 13th win with 7.1 scoreless innings. His ERA dropped even further to a miniscule 1.56, staking his claim as the American League's most dominant starter.
• Aaron Gilbert (9-3, 3.65 ERA): Gilbert was solid on Saturday, pitching **8.0 innings** and surrendering only one run, earning his 9th win and continuing the rotation's trend of pitching deep into games.

The Clutch Bullpen: Stepping into the closer void, Matt Wright earned two more saves (now 7) with two spotless 9th innings. Gil Caliari (1.96 ERA), fresh off his extension, picked up his 1st save of the year on Saturday, showing the team has multiple capable arms to finish games.

Offense: Clutch Power in Tight Spots

The Prayers relied on timely home runs and situational hitting to break open the low-scoring contests, keeping Boston's manager Antonio Fernandez frustrated: "We're in a little funk right now and we've just got to get ourselves out of it."

• Bret Perez (.291 AVG) was the hero on Sunday, crushing a solo home run in the 6th inning for the final 2-0 margin. He also provided the game-winning RBI on Saturday with a hit-by-pitch that forced in a run. Perez is showing true MVP form, getting on base and driving in runs in critical moments.
• Jose Rubbi (.222 AVG) was the unlikely source of power on Friday, hitting a clutch solo home run in the 7th inning to put the Prayers on the board, 1-0. "I really like what we did out there today," Rubbi said.
• Leadoff Threat: Felipe Hernandez (.261 AVG) was a menace on the base paths on Saturday, swiping two stolen bases (now 19) and setting the table for the middle of the order.

The Sacramento Prayers continue to dominate the league, using their historically great starting pitching and timely hitting from across the lineup to maintain their winning streak.

[liberty-ca]

Prieto Returns: Prayers Win Series Amidst ChaosPRAYERS
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (60-21) finished a chaotic three-game home stand against the Milwaukee Bishops (35-45) by taking two out of three games.

For three nights at Sacramento Stadium, the Bishops refused to play the role of passive visitor. They scratched, pressured, and in one jarring opener, exposed a rare crack in the Prayers’ armor. And yet, by Wednesday night, the familiar outcome reasserted itself.

Two wins out of three. Another series in the ledger. Another reminder that even when Sacramento bends, it rarely breaks. Manager Jimmy Aces summarized the gritty series win: "I like what I saw today, and I can't wait to get back out there and do it again."

Monday's Disaster: Defense Collapses

Game 1 — Monday, June 27
Bishops 7, Prayers 1

This was the outlier — and it felt strange from the first inning. The blame for a devastating 7-1 loss squarely rests on the defense, which committed five errors — three by shortstop Bret Perez (playing out of position) and two by third baseman Hector Iniguez — leading to two unearned runs against starter Fernando Salazar (7-5).

Milwaukee's Bob Alana was the Player of the Game, he turned the Prayers’ lineup quiet with a complete-game gem, allowing just two hits and never letting Sacramento settle into an at-bat. The Prayers' offense was completely stifled, managing only two hits, one of which was an RBI double by Felipe Hernandez (.260 AVG) in the 3rd inning, accounting for Sacramento's only run.

Fernando Salazar battled, but traffic never stopped coming. By the middle innings, Sacramento was chasing a game that refused to slow down. It was a reminder, uncomfortable but useful: dominance does not grant immunity.

Tuesday's Bounce Back: Martinez and Andretti Secure the Win

Game 2 — Tuesday, June 28
Prayers 2, Bishops 1

The Prayers immediately rebounded on Tuesday, securing a tight 2-1 victory thanks to excellent pitching and clutch hitting.

• Bernardo Andretti (9-5): Andretti was the Player of the Game, working efficiently into the eighth and conceding just one run while keeping Milwaukee from stacking rallies.
• Luis Martinez (.253 AVG) provided all the offense the Prayers would need, driving a 2-run double in the 2nd inning to put Sacramento ahead 2-0. Martinez called the win "a team effort."
• Matt Wright (1.55 ERA) closed game without drama and earned another save, his 8th, by getting the final four outs to hold the slim lead. Sacramento reclaimed control not by overwhelming Milwaukee, but by refusing to give them anything extra.

Wednesday's Triumph: Russ Gray and the Return of the Closer

Game 3 — Wednesday, June 29
Prayers 3, Bishops 2

In a low-scoring affair, the Prayers clinched the series with a 3-2 victory, highlighted by the early return of their injured star.

• Russ Gray (13-2, 1.76 ERA): didn’t dominate, but he never wavered. Gray secured his 13th win, battling through 6.2 innings and keeping the team in the game.
• Felipe Hernandez (.266 AVG) was the offensive catalyst, hitting a run-scoring single in the 5th inning that provided the winning 3-2 margin. Hernandez also swiped two stolen bases (now 21).
• The Return of Luis Prieto: In a shock to many, closer Luis Prieto (3.60 ERA) returned ahead of his 2-3 week timetable, pitching a perfect 9th inning to earn his 20th save of the season. His early return provides an enormous boost to the bullpen's morale and depth, especially with the team relying on him heavily before his injury.

Series Takeaway

This wasn’t a clean sweep. It wasn’t pristine. It was something more telling. The Prayers committed errors, lost focus for stretches, and still took the series. Even in their sloppiest game, the floor never collapsed. The Sacramento Prayers now stand at 60-21, a monumental record approaching the halfway point of the season. With Prieto back and the starters dealing, they look ready to resume a new winning streak.

[liberty-ca]

SEATTLE AT SACRAMENTO — “VALADEZ IGNITES, PRAYERS CLOSE JUNE IN COMMAND”
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

On the last day in June Sacramento Prayers (61-21) opened their series against the Seattle Lucifers (48-34) with a commanding 7-1 victory at Sacramento Stadium.

Behind a perfect night from Andres Valadez and a steady, authoritative start by Aaron Gilbert, Sacramento handled the Seattle Lucifers 7–1 Thursday night at Sacramento Stadium, improving to 61–21 and closing a dominant June with one final statement.

Valadez was everywhere. The third baseman went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk, two runs scored, and four RBIs, punctuating the night with a three-run blast in the second inning that effectively broke the game open.

With Sacramento nursing a 1–0 lead in the bottom of the second, Valadez turned on an Edwin Gaytan fastball and sent it into right field for his eighth homer of the season. In one swing, the Prayers had a 4–0 cushion — and the stadium exhaled.

“It feels good, just a great win all around,” Valadez said afterward.

That was more than enough support for Aaron Gilbert, who earned his 10th win of the season. The right-hander worked efficient 6.1 innings, giving up just one run on five hits while striking out five and allowing the offense to build the insurmountable lead. He navigated traffic calmly, inducing ground balls when needed and never letting Seattle’s lineup build sustained pressure. The lone blemish came in the seventh, when Luis Guerrero tripled home Mark Mayeski, trimming the lead to 4–1.

Jose Vizcarra, stepping into a high-leverage role, was dominant in relief. He entered with runners looming and promptly shut the door — then slammed it completely. The right-hander finished the final 2.2 innings, striking out five and allowing just one hit to earn his first save of the season. Seattle never threatened again.

Sacramento’s offense added polish in the eighth. After patience and contact loaded the situation, Valadez lined an RBI single before Luis Martinez delivered the knockout blow — a two-run triple that stretched the lead to 7–1 and sent fans into a late-night celebration.

The Prayers finished with 12 hits, balanced throughout the order. Martinez drove in two, Alex Velasquez chipped in an RBI, and Jose Rubbi continued to apply quiet pressure at the bottom of the lineup. Sacramento didn’t chase runs early — they waited, then struck.

Seattle, meanwhile, struck out 10 times and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, undone by Gilbert’s efficiency and Vizcarra’s dominance.

The Prayers walked off the field having gone 23–5 for the month — pitching-rich, mistake-light, and increasingly comfortable playing the role of league standard. The victory not only puts the Prayers back in the win column but demonstrates their continued strength in the starting rotation and their remarkable depth in the lineup.

The Prayers will look to secure series win against the Seattle Lucifers in the next game of the home stand on Friday, July 1st, when Jordan Rubalcava (13-2, 1.56 ERA) is expected to take the mound for the hosting team.

[liberty-ca]

JUNE RETROSPECT

June Was the Month the Prayers Took Control
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

June didn’t announce itself loudly. It didn’t arrive with a parade or a declaration. It simply unfolded, day after day, inning after inning — and by the time the calendar turned, the Sacramento Prayers were no longer just leading the American League West. They were owning it.

The Prayers closed June with a 23–5 record, the kind of month that doesn’t merely pad standings but reshapes expectations. What began as a test of endurance became a demonstration of authority. Sacramento didn’t sprint through June — they leaned on opponents until games tilted their way, quietly and repeatedly.

The defining characteristic of the month was balance. When the bats cooled, the pitching absorbed the weight. When starters showed fatigue, the bullpen slammed doors. When mistakes crept in — and they did — they were absorbed, corrected, and rarely repeated. This was not perfection. It was control.

Russ Gray’s steady brilliance anchored the rotation, even as exhaustion loomed. Jordan Rubalcava’s dominance bordered on clinical, while Fernando Salazar and Bernardo Andretti delivered quality more often than headlines. Aaron Gilbert surged late, reminding everyone that depth, not dazzle, wins summers.

And the bullpen? It became June’s security system. Matt Wright was automatic. Luis Prieto, even while navigating his own health concerns, remained the league’s most reliable closer when the game tilted late. Sacramento rarely panicked in the seventh, eighth, or ninth — a luxury few contenders possess.

Offensively, June clarified roles. Bret Perez and Alex Velasquez supplied thunder without overreaching. Francisco Hernandez turned singles into pressure and pressure into mistakes. Luis Martinez delivered in moments that mattered, often without spectacle. Even during stretches when the lineup sputtered — particularly mid-month — the Prayers never chased runs recklessly. They trusted the structure.

That trust was tested in Milwaukee’s lone blowout win on June 27, a game that briefly cracked Sacramento’s veneer. But what followed defined the month: two tight victories, controlled, disciplined, and unemotional. Losses didn’t linger. They were answered.

June also revealed what this team is not. The Prayers are not built on momentum alone. They do not need noise. They do not flinch when games turn ugly, slow, or tense. They are comfortable winning 10–2, and equally comfortable winning 3–2.

As the calendar flips to July, Sacramento sits at 61–21, with a division lead that feels earned rather than inflated. The schedule ahead is heavier. The innings will be longer. The pressure will sharpen. But June answered the most important question of the season so far: are the Prayers real?

June didn’t shout the answer. It simply showed it — night after night — until there was nothing left to doubt.

Looking Ahead

The Prayers proved they are not merely a good team, but a great, durable one. They won with their stars, they won without their stars, and they won through sheer, overwhelming pitching.

The challenge now shifts from survival to sustainment. When Musco returns, who steps out? Can the bullpen maintain its production once the starters normalize their innings count? June proved the Prayers have the talent and the mentality to win a championship. They didn't just survive the crisis; they redefined what it means to be a first-half favorite. The league has been warned.

[liberty-ca]

FBL Standings - 1 July, 1988

[liberty-ca]

SEATTLE AT SACRAMENTO — “A STATEMENT, THEN A STING”
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The first weekend of July opened with the kind of night Sacramento fans have come to expect — loud, decisive, and rooted in pitching dominance — before closing with a reminder that even the league’s standard-bearer can be made uncomfortable.

The Prayers took the opener emphatically, then absorbed a sharp counterpunch Saturday afternoon as the Lucifers salvaged momentum and left a bruise that lingered.


FRIDAY — PRAYERS 7, LUCIFERS 1

• Rubalcava sets the tone; Hernandez delivers the blow

For five innings, it felt like Seattle was probing, waiting for an opening. It never came.

Jordan Rubalcava authored another calm, efficient performance, scattering seven hits across seven innings and conceding just one run. He worked quickly, pounded the lower half of the zone, and kept Seattle grounded — 12 groundouts to just five fly balls — as Sacramento’s defense did the rest.

The game turned, decisively and permanently, in the second inning.

With two aboard and Sacramento already holding a 3–0 edge, Francisco “Slicker” Hernandez jumped on a Ryan Miller sinker and launched it into the Sacramento night. The three-run shot — his eighth — detonated the contest and lifted the crowd to its feet. By the time the inning ended, the Prayers led 7–0, and Seattle’s bullpen was already active.

From there, the game settled into Rubalcava’s rhythm. He never walked a batter, needed just 86 pitches, and exited to a standing ovation — though the applause was muted by concern after he appeared to tweak something while throwing late in the game. The club later acknowledged discomfort, casting a small shadow over an otherwise flawless evening.

“I like seeing our guys get a return on what they’ve put in,” manager Jimmy Aces said. Friday night felt like that return on investment made tangible.


SATURDAY — LUCIFERS 8, PRAYERS 4

• A ninth-inning gut punch flips the script

Saturday unfolded far differently — slower, tighter, and increasingly tense as missed opportunities piled up.

Fernando Salazar was excellent through eight innings, allowing three earned runs and keeping Sacramento within striking distance despite limited offensive support. Duncan Templeton matched him pitch for pitch, locating well and forcing soft contact while navigating traffic.

With the score knotted and the bullpen door swinging, the ninth inning proved to be disastrous. Luis Prieto (4.46 ERA), in his second appearance since his rushed return, allowed a huge 3-run home run to Heriberto Morales, blowing the game open to 8-2. Prieto was charged with four earned runs in just 0.1 innings, raising serious questions about his recovery and usage.

Sacramento's offense chipped away but couldn't keep pace. Sam Strauss (.270 AVG) hit an RBI double in the 6th, and Camden Liston (.184 AVG) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The team scored two runs in the ninth, but it was too little, too late.


THE TAKEAWAY

While the club's depth continues to produce runs, the injury to Rubalcava and the poor outing by a returning Prieto raise alarms about the pitching staff's stability moving forward.

At their best, the Prayers overwhelm early and suffocate late. On Friday, they were unassailable. On Saturday, they were human — leaving runners stranded, absorbing a rare bullpen stumble, and learning again how thin the margin can be against a contender.

The bigger concern may be Rubalcava’s health, not the loss itself. The standings cushion remains generous. The dominance remains real. But July has a way of asking harder questions, and Seattle left town having asked one. The Prayers answered half of it. The rest will come soon enough.

[liberty-ca]

SACRAMENTO AT FORT WORTH — INDEPENDENCE DAY TRIUMPH: PRAYERS SWEEP SPIRITS WITH POWER AND PEN
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmie Nye,Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers (65-22) started July with an emphatic three-game sweep of the Fort Worth Spirits (40-47) on the road, showcasing their offensive firepower and proving that their bullpen is quickly stabilizing. What might have been a tricky midweek stop instead became something more telling. Sacramento didn’t just steady itself after early punches — it answered every one of them, leaving Fort Worth with all three games in hand and another reminder that even imperfect nights rarely derail this club for long.


July 4 — Fireworks, Then Nerves (8–7 Sacramento)

The Independence Day opener was a wild back-and-forth battle that saw the Prayers overcome a massive 6-run third inning by the Spirits.

Francisco Hernandez (.264 AVG) was the Player of the Game, smashing two home runs (his 9th and 10th) and collecting four RBIs. His two-run shot in the 7th inning off R. Linderholm proved to be the game-winner, putting Sacramento ahead 7-6. Bret Perez added his own solo shot, and Alex Mendoza (.292 AVG) provided a huge three-run, bases-clearing double in the third inning to give the Prayers an early 4-0 lead.

Bernardo Andretti’s third inning unraveled quickly, six runs pouring across in a blink, turning a 4–0 cruise into a survival test. Sacramento leaned on depth instead of dominance — Felix Medina (1-0) earned his first win of the season with a masterful 4.0 innings of scoreless relief, striking out four, Matt Wright handled the eighth, and Luis Prieto closed the door despite giving up a run in the ninth, securing his 21st save and showing further stability.

Hernandez, still buzzing afterward, summed it up without polish:

“Some nights you’re the hammer. Some nights you’re just trying not to drop it on your foot. I wasn’t letting that one get away.”

July 5 — The Perez Statement Game (9–5 Sacramento)

If Monday was chaos management, Tuesday was assertion.

Bret Perez delivered the defining swing of the series — a second-inning grand slam that landed hard and early, the kind of blow that reorganizes dugouts. Hernandez followed with another homer in the same frame, Edwin Musco added thunder later, and Sacramento turned the game into controlled damage rather than a track meet.

Russ Gray didn’t have his sharpest night, but the bullpen erased the margin for Fort Worth. Gil Caliari was surgical across four innings while striking out three. He inherited runners from Gray and stranded them, demonstrating exceptional poise, freezing the Spirits’ momentum and letting the Prayers’ offense breathe.

Perez didn’t celebrate the blast much afterward. He just nodded.

“That inning felt like the room got quiet,” he said. “When it does, you know you’ve done your job.”

July 6 — Winning Ugly, Winning Right (2–1 Sacramento)

The finale was the inverse of the first two games — no margin, no noise, just execution.

Aaron Gilbert was relentless: 6.2 innings, eight strikeouts, three hits allowed, never letting Fort Worth feel hope long enough to warm it up. Solo home runs by Alex Velasquez and Luis Martinez were all Sacramento would get — and all they would need.

The bullpen snapped the game shut cleanly. Chris Ryan bridged. Prieto retired the Spirits in order in the 9th to secure his 22nd save in 25 chances, confirming his return to reliable, elite form.. No drama required.

Velasquez put it best afterward, half-smiling:

“Everyone loves fireworks. I’ll take a locked door and a quiet walk to the bus.”

THE TAKEAWAY

This wasn’t a perfect series. Andretti stumbled. Gray labored. The defense nicked itself. But the Prayers leave Fort Worth 65–22, still eight games clear in July, still leading the league in nearly every meaningful pitching category — and still showing they can win when games go sideways.

Sacramento's ability to sweep a series while utilizing incredible offensive bursts and receiving phenomenal long-relief work is a testament to their overwhelming talent. The return of Prieto and the consistent success of middle relievers like Caliari and Medina alleviate concerns sparked by the short-term injury to Rubalcava.

Next up: Washington comes to Sacramento — and the season keeps testing how much weight this roster can carry.