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liberty-ca · Yesterday, 01:43 AM

BNN SERIES RECAP — SEPTEMBER 20–22, 1988
SACRAMENTO AT TUCSON — “THREE NIGHTS, NO ESCAPE”
By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

TUCSON, AZ — The Sacramento Prayers (113-46) are returning home with three more wins and a staggering 20-game lead in the AL West, but the mood in the clubhouse is far from celebratory. While the Prayers dismantled the Tucson Cherubs this week, they did so at a cost that has the entire city of Sacramento holding its breath: the health of their starting rotation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 — PRAYERS 5, CHERUBS 4 (10 INNINGS)

Iniguez delivers late as Sacramento survives the margins

Sacramento leaned on Bernardo Andretti and bullpen sequencing to open the series. Andretti wasn’t overpowering, but he was competitive — 7.1 innings, four runs allowed, and enough strike-throwing to keep Tucson from breaking the game open.

The Cherubs forced extra innings, capitalizing on midgame traffic and a rare wobble from the bullpen. But in the tenth, Sacramento reminded Tucson how thin the margins really were.

Hector Iniguez, batting eighth, turned on a 1–1 fastball and sent it screaming into left-center for his 14th home run, snapping a 4–4 tie.

“Extra innings isn’t about being perfect,” Iniguez said. “It’s about being ready for one pitch.”

Matt Wright bridged the chaos, and Luis Prieto closed it out, even after being extended beyond his usual save script — his composure matching his season line: 40 saves, 2.75 ERA.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 — PRAYERS 1, CHERUBS 0

Gray dominates time, tempo, and tension

If Tuesday was survival, Wednesday was command. Night at the ball park belonged to Russ Gray. The Maine native was surgical as he delivered one of the quietest gems of Sacramento’s season: 8 shutout innings, six hits, no walks, and relentless efficiency. He needed just 93 pitches, letting the defense work and never letting Tucson settle into an at-bat rhythm.

The offense supplied exactly one run — a solo homer by Iniguez in the sixth — and Gray made it feel like five.

“That’s the blueprint,” said manager Jimmy Aces. “Control the pace, trust the gloves, and don’t chase innings.”

Prieto handled the ninth with ease, sealing Sacramento’s sixth September shutout and underscoring why the Prayers still ranked first in the AL in ERA (2.93) and runs allowed (506).

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 — PRAYERS 6, CHERUBS 2

Rubalcava exits, Mendoza shines, caution remains

Thursday’s 6-2 win should have been the highlight of the week, but the "Special Notes" section of the scorecard told a different story:

Eli Murguia, who has been a spark plug at the top of the order with a .317 average, went down while running the bases in the 3rd inning and exited after straining rib cage muscle.

Jordan Rubalcava, under a watchful eye from the dugout, improved to 22–4, maintaining a league-best 2.27 ERA and allowing two runs while never exceeding his comfort zone. Unfortunately, Players’ ace and AL wins leader had to leave the game after seven strong innings with what was described as a "tender elbow". Post-game diagnosis was more specific: an elbow sprain sustained while throwing a pitch, though the club insisted that there is nothing alarming. Rubalcava was seen flexing his elbow between innings.

Alex Mendoza was the engine that drove team to victory: 3-for-4, a home run, two RBIs, and steady command behind the plate. Sam Strauss, Bret Perez, and Edwin Musco added early pressure, pushing Sacramento out in front and allowing Rubalcava to pitch without urgency.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sacramento didn’t need to prove anything in Tucson. They needed to leave healthy, aligned, and intact — and they largely did with the exception of "leave healthy" part. It’s easy to panic when your 21-win ace goes down, but look at the standings. Sacramento has the luxury of time. This week-long "rest" for Rubalcava and Murguia might actually be a blessing in disguise, ensuring they have fresh legs for the postseason.

September, for the Prayers, is no longer about separation.
It’s about precision.

And over three quiet nights in Arizona, they were flawless.

Yesterday, 01:43 AM	#94
liberty-ca Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 219	BNN SERIES RECAP — SEPTEMBER 20–22, 1988 SACRAMENTO AT TUCSON — “THREE NIGHTS, NO ESCAPE” By Chad G. Petey, Baseball News Network (BNN) and By Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle TUCSON, AZ — The Sacramento Prayers (113-46) are returning home with three more wins and a staggering 20-game lead in the AL West, but the mood in the clubhouse is far from celebratory. While the Prayers dismantled the Tucson Cherubs this week, they did so at a cost that has the entire city of Sacramento holding its breath: the health of their starting rotation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 — PRAYERS 5, CHERUBS 4 (10 INNINGS) Iniguez delivers late as Sacramento survives the margins Sacramento leaned on Bernardo Andretti and bullpen sequencing to open the series. Andretti wasn’t overpowering, but he was competitive — 7.1 innings, four runs allowed, and enough strike-throwing to keep Tucson from breaking the game open. The Cherubs forced extra innings, capitalizing on midgame traffic and a rare wobble from the bullpen. But in the tenth, Sacramento reminded Tucson how thin the margins really were. Hector Iniguez, batting eighth, turned on a 1–1 fastball and sent it screaming into left-center for his 14th home run, snapping a 4–4 tie. “Extra innings isn’t about being perfect,” Iniguez said. “It’s about being ready for one pitch.” Matt Wright bridged the chaos, and Luis Prieto closed it out, even after being extended beyond his usual save script — his composure matching his season line: 40 saves, 2.75 ERA. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 — PRAYERS 1, CHERUBS 0 Gray dominates time, tempo, and tension If Tuesday was survival, Wednesday was command. Night at the ball park belonged to Russ Gray. The Maine native was surgical as he delivered one of the quietest gems of Sacramento’s season: 8 shutout innings, six hits, no walks, and relentless efficiency. He needed just 93 pitches, letting the defense work and never letting Tucson settle into an at-bat rhythm. The offense supplied exactly one run — a solo homer by Iniguez in the sixth — and Gray made it feel like five. “That’s the blueprint,” said manager Jimmy Aces. “Control the pace, trust the gloves, and don’t chase innings.” Prieto handled the ninth with ease, sealing Sacramento’s sixth September shutout and underscoring why the Prayers still ranked first in the AL in ERA (2.93) and runs allowed (506). ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 — PRAYERS 6, CHERUBS 2 Rubalcava exits, Mendoza shines, caution remains Thursday’s 6-2 win should have been the highlight of the week, but the "Special Notes" section of the scorecard told a different story: Eli Murguia, who has been a spark plug at the top of the order with a .317 average, went down while running the bases in the 3rd inning and exited after straining rib cage muscle. Jordan Rubalcava, under a watchful eye from the dugout, improved to 22–4, maintaining a league-best 2.27 ERA and allowing two runs while never exceeding his comfort zone. Unfortunately, Players’ ace and AL wins leader had to leave the game after seven strong innings with what was described as a "tender elbow". Post-game diagnosis was more specific: an elbow sprain sustained while throwing a pitch, though the club insisted that there is nothing alarming. Rubalcava was seen flexing his elbow between innings. Alex Mendoza was the engine that drove team to victory: 3-for-4, a home run, two RBIs, and steady command behind the plate. Sam Strauss, Bret Perez, and Edwin Musco added early pressure, pushing Sacramento out in front and allowing Rubalcava to pitch without urgency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sacramento didn’t need to prove anything in Tucson. They needed to leave healthy, aligned, and intact — and they largely did with the exception of "leave healthy" part. It’s easy to panic when your 21-win ace goes down, but look at the standings. Sacramento has the luxury of time. This week-long "rest" for Rubalcava and Murguia might actually be a blessing in disguise, ensuring they have fresh legs for the postseason. September, for the Prayers, is no longer about separation. It’s about precision. And over three quiet nights in Arizona, they were flawless.