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liberty-ca · 12-10-2025, 10:55 PM

MILWAUKEE AT SACRAMENTO — “A MACHINE AT FULL POWER”
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

Back home in front of roaring crowds at Sacramento Stadium, the reigning champions showed once again why they own eight banners and sit atop the all-time FBL standings. The Sacramento Prayers swept the visiting Milwaukee Bishops in three very different games — one tight, one tactical, one explosive — pushing their league-best record to 14–1.

The Bishops fought. They hit. They ran. They forced Sacramento to sweat.
But this version of the Prayers? They simply find ways — every way — to win.

APRIL 17, 1988
Prayers 5, Bishops 3

Valadez Breaks the Deadlock, Sacramento Pulls Ahead Late

The opener belonged to Milwaukee’s J.J. Kuhn — at least statistically. The right fielder went 3-for-4, homered, stole a base, and put the Bishops in position to steal a road victory.

Sacramento, as usual, denied the storyline.

After trailing early, the Prayers erupted in the seventh inning, turning a 2–1 deficit into a 5–2 lead. Sam Strauss doubled home a run. Then Andrés Valadez — hitting just .079 coming into the day — blistered a run-scoring double down the left-field line, his first extra-base hit of the season, putting Sacramento ahead for good.

Milwaukee never recovered.

“Right now, I’m just happy we got the win,” Valadez said afterward.
“You can’t get too high, can’t get too low.”

Billy Andretti battled through 5.1 innings before handing the ball to Josué Vizcarra, who earned the win, and Luis Prieto collected save No. 8 with his trademark calm.

The only damper: shortstop Luis Martinez left the game with an injury suffered while running the bases.

APRIL 18, 1988
Prayers 2, Bishops 1

Gray Puts on a Clinic, Velasquez Provides the Difference

Monday night was a pitchers’ duel — clean, crisp, and tense from first pitch to last.
Russ Gray authored a masterclass, working 7 innings of four-hit, one-run baseball, lowering his ERA to 1.35. Milwaukee’s Ozzie Aguilar nearly matched him, but the game turned on execution, not velocity.

Locked at 1–1 in the sixth, Alex Velasquez shot a sharp RBI single into right field, scoring Alex Mendoza and giving Sacramento a lead it never relinquished.

The defensive backbone — Strauss, Iniguez, Martinez before his exit—turned a crucial double play. Mike Wright recorded his first hold. And Prieto, once again, shut the lights off for save No. 9.

Afterward, Gray spoke with the easy confidence of a pitcher in complete command:

“I like the roll we’re on right now.”

At 13–1, the Prayers weren’t rolling — they were steamrolling.

APRIL 19, 1988
Prayers 11, Bishops 1

The Fifth Inning That Shook the Stadium

For four innings: silence.
For the next twenty minutes: absolute carnage.

Milwaukee’s Bob Alana kept the Prayers quiet early — until Sacramento detonated for seven runs in the fifth, the loudest inning of their season.

Luis Martinez started the ambush with a two-run home run.
Then Andrés Valadez followed with a two-run blast of his own, his second home run in as many days.

And then — swing of the series — Hector Iniguez, the 1980 MVP, launched a grand slam deep into the left-field bullpen. A 2–1 splitter stayed up; Iniguez crushed it out. Sacramento Stadium became a wall of noise.

By the time Milwaukee exhaled, the score was 7–0, and the game was over.

But Sacramento wasn’t done.

Bret Perez delivered a vintage MVP-style performance: 3-for-4, two doubles, two RBI, and two stolen bases. Alex Velasquez added three hits. Eleven different runs crossed the plate.

Aaron Gilbert improved to 3–0 with 5.2 sharp innings, and rookie Dario Garza closed the final 3.1 frames for his first save.

Skipper Jimmy Aces put it best:

“We looked for pitches we wanted to hit — and when we found them, we didn’t miss.”

SERIES SUMMARY — WHY SACRAMENTO SWEPT

1. They Respond to Pressure Instantly

Down 2–1? They score four.
Tied 1–1? They immediately manufacture the go-ahead run.
Locked in a scoreless duel? They erupt for seven.
It’s the mark of a champion — and this franchise knows titles better than anyone.

2. The Rotation Is Borderline Unfair

Andretti battled.
Gray dominated.
Gilbert excelled.

Milwaukee never saw a weak link.

3. The Lineup Is Waking Up as a Unit

Valadez heating up.
Martinez showing pop.
Perez, Strauss, Velasquez, Iniguez — everybody contributing.

This depth is how Sacramento has remained elite for two decades.

4. Prieto Is Automatic

Nine saves. No drama.
Another Mariano Rivera Award campaign is underway.

5. Sacramento Is Playing Like a Team With Dynasty Aspirations

Eight championships.
Nineteen playoff appearances.
A .632 all-time winning percentage.

This club isn’t chasing a hot start — they’re chasing immortality.

UP NEXT

The 14–1 Prayers welcome their next challenger to Sacramento Stadium, aiming to extend one of the most dominant Aprils in franchise history.

12-10-2025, 10:55 PM	#8
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 331	BNN Series Recap — April 17–19, 1988 MILWAUKEE AT SACRAMENTO — “A MACHINE AT FULL POWER” By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) Back home in front of roaring crowds at Sacramento Stadium, the reigning champions showed once again why they own eight banners and sit atop the all-time FBL standings. The Sacramento Prayers swept the visiting Milwaukee Bishops in three very different games — one tight, one tactical, one explosive — pushing their league-best record to 14–1. The Bishops fought. They hit. They ran. They forced Sacramento to sweat. But this version of the Prayers? They simply find ways — every way — to win. APRIL 17, 1988 Prayers 5, Bishops 3 Valadez Breaks the Deadlock, Sacramento Pulls Ahead Late The opener belonged to Milwaukee’s J.J. Kuhn — at least statistically. The right fielder went 3-for-4, homered, stole a base, and put the Bishops in position to steal a road victory. Sacramento, as usual, denied the storyline. After trailing early, the Prayers erupted in the seventh inning, turning a 2–1 deficit into a 5–2 lead. Sam Strauss doubled home a run. Then Andrés Valadez — hitting just .079 coming into the day — blistered a run-scoring double down the left-field line, his first extra-base hit of the season, putting Sacramento ahead for good. Milwaukee never recovered. “Right now, I’m just happy we got the win,” Valadez said afterward. “You can’t get too high, can’t get too low.” Billy Andretti battled through 5.1 innings before handing the ball to Josué Vizcarra, who earned the win, and Luis Prieto collected save No. 8 with his trademark calm. The only damper: shortstop Luis Martinez left the game with an injury suffered while running the bases. APRIL 18, 1988 Prayers 2, Bishops 1 Gray Puts on a Clinic, Velasquez Provides the Difference Monday night was a pitchers’ duel — clean, crisp, and tense from first pitch to last. Russ Gray authored a masterclass, working 7 innings of four-hit, one-run baseball, lowering his ERA to 1.35. Milwaukee’s Ozzie Aguilar nearly matched him, but the game turned on execution, not velocity. Locked at 1–1 in the sixth, Alex Velasquez shot a sharp RBI single into right field, scoring Alex Mendoza and giving Sacramento a lead it never relinquished. The defensive backbone — Strauss, Iniguez, Martinez before his exit—turned a crucial double play. Mike Wright recorded his first hold. And Prieto, once again, shut the lights off for save No. 9. Afterward, Gray spoke with the easy confidence of a pitcher in complete command: “I like the roll we’re on right now.” At 13–1, the Prayers weren’t rolling — they were steamrolling. APRIL 19, 1988 Prayers 11, Bishops 1 The Fifth Inning That Shook the Stadium For four innings: silence. For the next twenty minutes: absolute carnage. Milwaukee’s Bob Alana kept the Prayers quiet early — until Sacramento detonated for seven runs in the fifth, the loudest inning of their season. Luis Martinez started the ambush with a two-run home run. Then Andrés Valadez followed with a two-run blast of his own, his second home run in as many days. And then — swing of the series — Hector Iniguez, the 1980 MVP, launched a grand slam deep into the left-field bullpen. A 2–1 splitter stayed up; Iniguez crushed it out. Sacramento Stadium became a wall of noise. By the time Milwaukee exhaled, the score was 7–0, and the game was over. But Sacramento wasn’t done. Bret Perez delivered a vintage MVP-style performance: 3-for-4, two doubles, two RBI, and two stolen bases. Alex Velasquez added three hits. Eleven different runs crossed the plate. Aaron Gilbert improved to 3–0 with 5.2 sharp innings, and rookie Dario Garza closed the final 3.1 frames for his first save. Skipper Jimmy Aces put it best: “We looked for pitches we wanted to hit — and when we found them, we didn’t miss.” SERIES SUMMARY — WHY SACRAMENTO SWEPT 1. They Respond to Pressure Instantly Down 2–1? They score four. Tied 1–1? They immediately manufacture the go-ahead run. Locked in a scoreless duel? They erupt for seven. It’s the mark of a champion — and this franchise knows titles better than anyone. 2. The Rotation Is Borderline Unfair Andretti battled. Gray dominated. Gilbert excelled. Milwaukee never saw a weak link. 3. The Lineup Is Waking Up as a Unit Valadez heating up. Martinez showing pop. Perez, Strauss, Velasquez, Iniguez — everybody contributing. This depth is how Sacramento has remained elite for two decades. 4. Prieto Is Automatic Nine saves. No drama. Another Mariano Rivera Award campaign is underway. 5. Sacramento Is Playing Like a Team With Dynasty Aspirations Eight championships. Nineteen playoff appearances. A .632 all-time winning percentage. This club isn’t chasing a hot start — they’re chasing immortality. UP NEXT The 14–1 Prayers welcome their next challenger to Sacramento Stadium, aiming to extend one of the most dominant Aprils in franchise history. Last edited by liberty-ca; 12-10-2025 at 11:32 PM.