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liberty-ca · 12-10-2025, 08:59 PM

PRAYERS MARCH TO 6–0 START WITH CONTROL, CONTACT, AND CLUTCH PITCHING IN EL PASO
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network

Fresh off a three-game sweep in Baltimore, the Sacramento Prayers rolled into El Paso and refused to slow down. Behind airtight defense, unwavering starting pitching, and a lineup that never stops applying pressure, Sacramento swept the Abbots to improve to 6–0, their best start since 1982.
They didn’t just win — they suffocated El Paso.

Across the three games, Sacramento allowed just four total runs, rode two excellent starts from Jordan Rubalcava and Russ Gray, and watched their offense produce just enough power and precision to stay firmly in control.

El Paso fought — especially with traffic on the bases and long at-bats — but Sacramento simply played at a different gear.
Below is the full breakdown of a road sweep that signaled the defending champions are not easing into 1988. They are dictating it.

APRIL 7, 1988
Prayers 5, Abbots 2

Russ Gray grinds through 6.2 steady innings; Martinez jump-starts the offense

This was the type of game Sacramento wins almost by muscle memory: clean defense, deep pitching, and one big swing.

Russ Gray made his 1988 debut and delivered exactly what the Prayers needed — 6.2 innings, 8 hits, 2 runs, no walks, and strong tempo. Even when the Abbots threatened, Gray avoided the meltdown inning.

“Russ — his tempo and rhythm were good. He was the key to us winning,” said manager Jimmy Aces.

The game’s spark came from shortstop Luis Martinez, who launched his second homer of the season in the third — a solo shot that put Sacramento on the board for good. Martinez reached twice and scored twice.

Other contributors:

Sam Strauss doubled and drove in a run.
Alex Velasquez added a sac fly.
Esteban Murguia stole a base and scored.

On the back end, Joel Vizcarra and Luis Prieto slammed the door, combining for 2.1 innings of one-run ball, with Prieto securing save No. 2.

APRIL 8, 1988
Prayers 6, Abbots 1

Gilbert sharp; Pérez delivers go-ahead hit; Murguia goes deep

A day game at Abbots Park turned into another textbook Sacramento win — steady pitching, opportunistic hitting, and late separation.

Aaron Gilbert, making his season debut, served up a strong line: 5.2 innings, 4 hits, one run, and seven strikeouts. His only trouble came in the fourth, when El Paso briefly tied the game, but Gilbert reset and dominated the fifth.

“Nice to keep stacking the wins,” said Bret Pérez, whose softly lined RBI single in the fifth put Sacramento back in front, 2–1.

From there, Sacramento widened the lead:

Esteban Murguia blasted a two-run homer in the eighth — his second in as many days.
Ariel Mendoza doubled and added a two-out RBI.
Strauss, Iniguez, and Perez all turned in multi-hit games.

Gilbert handed the ball to Gino Caliari (2.2 scoreless innings), who was excellent again, and Garza finished off a quiet ninth.
Sacramento improved to 5–0, looking completely synchronized.

APRIL 9, 1988
Prayers 3, Abbots 1

Rubalcava dominates again; Murguia homers; Hernandez legs out a clutch triple

If Opening Day was dominant, this was controlled brilliance.

Jordan Rubalcava, already operating like the league’s best pitcher, spun another masterpiece:
8 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 7 strikeouts, and complete command of both edges of the plate.

He needed just 99 pitches — and he didn’t allow an extra-base hit until the final frame.

“Jordan gave us everything he had,” Aces said. “That’s a staff leader.”

Sacramento’s offense provided just enough:

In the fourth, Esteban Murguia homered for the second time in as many games, a laser to right.
In the fifth, Francisco Hernandez tripled into the gap to score a run with two outs.
The pitching staff and defense took over from there, turning two double plays and putting the game to bed cleanly.

Prieto worked a fast ninth for his third save in six days.
Sacramento finished the road trip at 6–0, sweeping both Baltimore and El Paso.

SERIES STARS (APRIL 7–9)

Jordan Rubalcava — RHP

2–0, 1 ER in 16 IP, 15 K, 1.12 ERA
The early Cy Young favorite. No one has looked better.

Esteban Murguia — LF
2 HR in 2 games, multi-hit days, power returning early
His swing is loud, dangerous, and heats up quickly.

Luis Martinez — SS
HR in series opener, elite defense, multiple double plays
Quietly central to Sacramento’s success.

Bret Pérez — DH
Clutch RBI in Game 5, on-base machine, game-changing baserunning
Still the heartbeat of the lineup.

WHAT 6–0 MEANS

This is not just a hot start — it’s a mission statement.
After winning their eighth championship last fall, Sacramento could have coasted.

Instead?
They look sharper, deeper, and more polished than any other team in the Fictional Baseball League right now.

The rotation is already in midseason form.
The bullpen hasn’t blown a lead yet.
The defense is erasing mistakes before they happen.
The lineup can win big or grind out tight ones.

12-10-2025, 08:59 PM	#4
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 318	BNN Series Recap — April 7–9, 1988 PRAYERS MARCH TO 6–0 START WITH CONTROL, CONTACT, AND CLUTCH PITCHING IN EL PASO By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network Fresh off a three-game sweep in Baltimore, the Sacramento Prayers rolled into El Paso and refused to slow down. Behind airtight defense, unwavering starting pitching, and a lineup that never stops applying pressure, Sacramento swept the Abbots to improve to 6–0, their best start since 1982. They didn’t just win — they suffocated El Paso. Across the three games, Sacramento allowed just four total runs, rode two excellent starts from Jordan Rubalcava and Russ Gray, and watched their offense produce just enough power and precision to stay firmly in control. El Paso fought — especially with traffic on the bases and long at-bats — but Sacramento simply played at a different gear. Below is the full breakdown of a road sweep that signaled the defending champions are not easing into 1988. They are dictating it. APRIL 7, 1988 Prayers 5, Abbots 2 Russ Gray grinds through 6.2 steady innings; Martinez jump-starts the offense This was the type of game Sacramento wins almost by muscle memory: clean defense, deep pitching, and one big swing. Russ Gray made his 1988 debut and delivered exactly what the Prayers needed — 6.2 innings, 8 hits, 2 runs, no walks, and strong tempo. Even when the Abbots threatened, Gray avoided the meltdown inning. “Russ — his tempo and rhythm were good. He was the key to us winning,” said manager Jimmy Aces. The game’s spark came from shortstop Luis Martinez, who launched his second homer of the season in the third — a solo shot that put Sacramento on the board for good. Martinez reached twice and scored twice. Other contributors: Sam Strauss doubled and drove in a run. Alex Velasquez added a sac fly. Esteban Murguia stole a base and scored. On the back end, Joel Vizcarra and Luis Prieto slammed the door, combining for 2.1 innings of one-run ball, with Prieto securing save No. 2. APRIL 8, 1988 Prayers 6, Abbots 1 Gilbert sharp; Pérez delivers go-ahead hit; Murguia goes deep A day game at Abbots Park turned into another textbook Sacramento win — steady pitching, opportunistic hitting, and late separation. Aaron Gilbert, making his season debut, served up a strong line: 5.2 innings, 4 hits, one run, and seven strikeouts. His only trouble came in the fourth, when El Paso briefly tied the game, but Gilbert reset and dominated the fifth. “Nice to keep stacking the wins,” said Bret Pérez, whose softly lined RBI single in the fifth put Sacramento back in front, 2–1. From there, Sacramento widened the lead: Esteban Murguia blasted a two-run homer in the eighth — his second in as many days. Ariel Mendoza doubled and added a two-out RBI. Strauss, Iniguez, and Perez all turned in multi-hit games. Gilbert handed the ball to Gino Caliari (2.2 scoreless innings), who was excellent again, and Garza finished off a quiet ninth. Sacramento improved to 5–0, looking completely synchronized. APRIL 9, 1988 Prayers 3, Abbots 1 Rubalcava dominates again; Murguia homers; Hernandez legs out a clutch triple If Opening Day was dominant, this was controlled brilliance. Jordan Rubalcava, already operating like the league’s best pitcher, spun another masterpiece: 8 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 7 strikeouts, and complete command of both edges of the plate. He needed just 99 pitches — and he didn’t allow an extra-base hit until the final frame. “Jordan gave us everything he had,” Aces said. “That’s a staff leader.” Sacramento’s offense provided just enough: In the fourth, Esteban Murguia homered for the second time in as many games, a laser to right. In the fifth, Francisco Hernandez tripled into the gap to score a run with two outs. The pitching staff and defense took over from there, turning two double plays and putting the game to bed cleanly. Prieto worked a fast ninth for his third save in six days. Sacramento finished the road trip at 6–0, sweeping both Baltimore and El Paso. SERIES STARS (APRIL 7–9) Jordan Rubalcava — RHP 2–0, 1 ER in 16 IP, 15 K, 1.12 ERA The early Cy Young favorite. No one has looked better. Esteban Murguia — LF 2 HR in 2 games, multi-hit days, power returning early His swing is loud, dangerous, and heats up quickly. Luis Martinez — SS HR in series opener, elite defense, multiple double plays Quietly central to Sacramento’s success. Bret Pérez — DH Clutch RBI in Game 5, on-base machine, game-changing baserunning Still the heartbeat of the lineup. WHAT 6–0 MEANS This is not just a hot start — it’s a mission statement. After winning their eighth championship last fall, Sacramento could have coasted. Instead? They look sharper, deeper, and more polished than any other team in the Fictional Baseball League right now. The rotation is already in midseason form. The bullpen hasn’t blown a lead yet. The defense is erasing mistakes before they happen. The lineup can win big or grind out tight ones. Last edited by liberty-ca; 12-10-2025 at 10:03 PM.