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liberty-ca · 12-11-2025, 01:16 PM

PRAYERS DROP OPENER, ROAR BACK TO TAKE SERIES FROM BROOKLYN
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN)

The long, charmed run of the Sacramento Prayers hit another bump on May 3, as the Brooklyn Priests stunned Sacramento with a seven-run ninth inning that handed the Prayers their third straight loss — their longest skid in almost two seasons.

But as elite teams do, Sacramento answered.
Behind Russ Gray’s brilliance and Jordan Rubalcava’s complete-game gem, the Prayers steadied themselves, took the final two games, and improved to 24–6, preserving their league-best record.

GAME 1 — MAY 3
Brooklyn 9, Sacramento 5

Priests Erupt for Seven in the Ninth — Sacramento Melts Down Late

For eight innings, it was another classic Prayers blueprint: early power, steady pitching, enough cushion. Edwin Musco was unstoppable, going 4-for-5 with a homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs, and Sacramento held a 5–2 lead entering the ninth.

What followed was the worst inning of Sacramento’s season.

Luis Prieto — already coming off two heartbreakers in Tucson — imploded again. Brooklyn strung together hit after hit, capped by a devastating 2-run single from shortstop Ricky Mireles to break a 5–5 tie. By the time the dust settled, Brooklyn had hung seven runs on the board.

Sacramento’s late-inning bullpen woes had gone from concern to crisis in 72 painful hours.

“Getting a lot of baserunners and getting some timely hits, it’s a good combination,” Mireles said afterward, adding understatement to injury.

The only positive: Musco’s monster night, and Jairo Rubbi’s crisp 2-for-3 showing.

But the story was about the collapse.
Three straight losses. A bullpen unraveling. A restless home crowd.

A test of the Prayers’ identity was coming.

GAME 2 — MAY 4
Sacramento 6, Brooklyn 1

Gray Ends the Skid, Murguia and Velasquez Supply the Firepower

All Sacramento needed was their ace.

AL Pitcher of the Month Russ Gray shoved Brooklyn back into place with an 8-inning, 7-strikeout, 3-hit masterpiece, improving to 6–0 with a 1.76 ERA. Every inning felt methodical, controlled, and borderline cruel.

Gray’s dominance restored order, and the offense reawakened:

Eli Murguia: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI — back to MVP form
Alex Velasquez: a thunderous 3-run homer in the sixth
A. Mendoza: a 3-hit night
Sacramento pitching: allowed only five total baserunners through eight

Suddenly, the series was tied, the skid was over, and the Stadium had life again.

“We came out on top and that’s all I can ask for,” Gray said afterward.
One imagines the clubhouse asking for quite a bit more — Gray delivered all of it.

GAME 3 — MAY 5
Sacramento 7, Brooklyn 2

Rubalcava’s Complete Game and Musco’s Power Finish Off Priests

If Game 2 was a correction, Game 3 was an exclamation point.

Jordan Rubalcava threw the most efficient and composed outing of his season — a 113-pitch, 9-inning complete game that scattered five hits and two runs. He improved to 5–1, lowered his ERA to 1.81, and firmly re-established Sacramento’s rotation as the deepest in the AL.

The bats, meanwhile, continued their resurgence:

Edwin Musco blasted another homer, a three-run shot in the seventh
Alex Velasquez delivered four RBI, including a two-run single in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth
Hector Iniguez collected three hits
The Prayers scored in four separate innings, steadily overwhelming Brooklyn

After three days of turbulence, Sacramento closed the series with a reminder:

They are still the defending AL juggernaut.
They are still the class of the league.
And when the rotation sets the tone, they can bury teams fast.

“We’ve got a great group of guys,” Velasquez said. “We’re having fun right now.”

BIG PICTURE: SERIES TAKEAWAYS

1. The bullpen is officially a storyline.

Prieto’s week: 3 appearances, 3 losses, 9 earned runs.
Sacramento has the arms to recover — but confidence is shaken.

2. The lineup survived its slump.

From April 30 through May 2, the Prayers went 2-for-16 with RISP.
Versus Brooklyn?
They smashed five homers and hit .308 as a team.

3. The rotation is carrying this team.

Gray (6–0, 1.76)

Rubalcava (5–1, 1.81)

Salazar (4–1, 2.30)
Gilbert showing improvement

If they stay healthy, Sacramento remains unstoppable.

4. Sacramento stands at 24–6 — still historic.

Even with their first real turbulence, the Prayers remain on a 115-win pace, something no FBL team has ever accomplished.

12-11-2025, 01:16 PM	#22
liberty-ca Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 262	BNN Series Recap — May 3–5, 1988 PRAYERS DROP OPENER, ROAR BACK TO TAKE SERIES FROM BROOKLYN By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) The long, charmed run of the Sacramento Prayers hit another bump on May 3, as the Brooklyn Priests stunned Sacramento with a seven-run ninth inning that handed the Prayers their third straight loss — their longest skid in almost two seasons. But as elite teams do, Sacramento answered. Behind Russ Gray’s brilliance and Jordan Rubalcava’s complete-game gem, the Prayers steadied themselves, took the final two games, and improved to 24–6, preserving their league-best record. GAME 1 — MAY 3 Brooklyn 9, Sacramento 5 Priests Erupt for Seven in the Ninth — Sacramento Melts Down Late For eight innings, it was another classic Prayers blueprint: early power, steady pitching, enough cushion. Edwin Musco was unstoppable, going 4-for-5 with a homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs, and Sacramento held a 5–2 lead entering the ninth. What followed was the worst inning of Sacramento’s season. Luis Prieto — already coming off two heartbreakers in Tucson — imploded again. Brooklyn strung together hit after hit, capped by a devastating 2-run single from shortstop Ricky Mireles to break a 5–5 tie. By the time the dust settled, Brooklyn had hung seven runs on the board. Sacramento’s late-inning bullpen woes had gone from concern to crisis in 72 painful hours. “Getting a lot of baserunners and getting some timely hits, it’s a good combination,” Mireles said afterward, adding understatement to injury. The only positive: Musco’s monster night, and Jairo Rubbi’s crisp 2-for-3 showing. But the story was about the collapse. Three straight losses. A bullpen unraveling. A restless home crowd. A test of the Prayers’ identity was coming. GAME 2 — MAY 4 Sacramento 6, Brooklyn 1 Gray Ends the Skid, Murguia and Velasquez Supply the Firepower All Sacramento needed was their ace. AL Pitcher of the Month Russ Gray shoved Brooklyn back into place with an 8-inning, 7-strikeout, 3-hit masterpiece, improving to 6–0 with a 1.76 ERA. Every inning felt methodical, controlled, and borderline cruel. Gray’s dominance restored order, and the offense reawakened: Eli Murguia: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI — back to MVP form Alex Velasquez: a thunderous 3-run homer in the sixth A. Mendoza: a 3-hit night Sacramento pitching: allowed only five total baserunners through eight Suddenly, the series was tied, the skid was over, and the Stadium had life again. “We came out on top and that’s all I can ask for,” Gray said afterward. One imagines the clubhouse asking for quite a bit more — Gray delivered all of it. GAME 3 — MAY 5 Sacramento 7, Brooklyn 2 Rubalcava’s Complete Game and Musco’s Power Finish Off Priests If Game 2 was a correction, Game 3 was an exclamation point. Jordan Rubalcava threw the most efficient and composed outing of his season — a 113-pitch, 9-inning complete game that scattered five hits and two runs. He improved to 5–1, lowered his ERA to 1.81, and firmly re-established Sacramento’s rotation as the deepest in the AL. The bats, meanwhile, continued their resurgence: Edwin Musco blasted another homer, a three-run shot in the seventh Alex Velasquez delivered four RBI, including a two-run single in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth Hector Iniguez collected three hits The Prayers scored in four separate innings, steadily overwhelming Brooklyn After three days of turbulence, Sacramento closed the series with a reminder: They are still the defending AL juggernaut. They are still the class of the league. And when the rotation sets the tone, they can bury teams fast. “We’ve got a great group of guys,” Velasquez said. “We’re having fun right now.” BIG PICTURE: SERIES TAKEAWAYS 1. The bullpen is officially a storyline. Prieto’s week: 3 appearances, 3 losses, 9 earned runs. Sacramento has the arms to recover — but confidence is shaken. 2. The lineup survived its slump. From April 30 through May 2, the Prayers went 2-for-16 with RISP. Versus Brooklyn? They smashed five homers and hit .308 as a team. 3. The rotation is carrying this team. Gray (6–0, 1.76) Rubalcava (5–1, 1.81) Salazar (4–1, 2.30) Gilbert showing improvement If they stay healthy, Sacramento remains unstoppable. 4. Sacramento stands at 24–6 — still historic. Even with their first real turbulence, the Prayers remain on a 115-win pace, something no FBL team has ever accomplished. Last edited by liberty-ca; 12-11-2025 at 01:18 PM.