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liberty-ca · 01-25-2026, 08:55 PM

PRAYERS WEEKLY: MAY 6–12, 1990
By C.O. Pilot, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

TUCSON — A week that began with Sacramento sitting atop the American League West at 25–8 ended with the club suddenly looking mortal, bruised by a five‑game losing streak and searching for answers as the calendar crept toward mid‑May.

The Prayers still hold first place, still boast the league’s most dynamic shortstop in Edwin Musco, and still have a rotation that — when rested — can go pitch‑for‑pitch with anyone. But the past seven days offered a reminder that even the league’s best can wobble when the schedule tightens and the bullpen is stretched thin. The wheels haven't fallen off the wagon yet, but they’re definitely wobbling.

What follows is the full chronicle of a turbulent, revealing week for Sacramento.

★ ★ ★

SUNDAY, MAY 6 — PRAYERS 4, MESSIAHS 2
Sacramento closes out Boston behind Gaias, Musco, and timely execution

The week started on a high note at Sacramento Stadium with a crisp, workmanlike win over Boston, the kind of game Sacramento has made routine in 1990. Ricky Gaias delivered 6.1 innings of sharp, no‑nonsense pitching, striking out nine without issuing a walk. His fastball had late life, his slider stayed on the hands, and Boston never looked comfortable.

The offense didn’t overwhelm, but it didn’t need to. Edwin Musco continued his torrid stretch, doubling in the fifth and homering in the seventh — his ninth of the season, a no‑doubt shot to left that brought the crowd to its feet.

The pivotal moment came earlier, though, in the fourth. With the bases loaded and one out, Jose Rubbi lifted a deep sacrifice fly to right.

“I’m just trying to make good contact,” Rubbi said afterward. “One at‑bat at a time.”

Sacramento left the ballpark that night at 25–8, winners of seven of their last nine, and looking every bit like the class of the league.

Little did we know the "Music City" was about to change the tune. They would not win again for six days.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, MAY 8 — ANGELS 7, PRAYERS 2
Shank and Serrano ambush Sacramento; offense strands 11

The road trip to Nashville began with a thud in Anaheim. The Angels, a streaky but dangerous club, jumped on Bernardo Andretti early and never let Sacramento breathe. Andretti took his first loss of the season, struggling to contain the Angels' persistent attack.

The story of the night was John Shank, Nashville's one-man wrecking crew, who went 3‑for‑4 with a double, a homer, and three runs scored. His seventh‑inning blast off Aaron Gilbert effectively sealed the game.

Sacramento had chances—plenty of them. Ten hits, four walks, and a parade of baserunners. But the Prayers stranded 11, including five in scoring position with two outs.

“We put runners on, we just didn’t finish innings,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “That’s the difference between a competitive loss and a win.”

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 — ANGELS 6, PRAYERS 5 (12 INNINGS)
A marathon, a missed opportunity, and a walk‑off dagger

If Tuesday was frustrating, Wednesday was downright exasperating. The "Game of the Week" was also the most painful.

Sacramento jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first, added another in the third, and looked poised to steady themselves. But Nashville chipped away, then surged ahead on a Carlos Vargas two‑run homer in the seventh.

Still, the Prayers fought back. Edwin Musco tied the game with a two‑out RBI single in the fourth. Luis Prieto delivered three scoreless innings of relief — his best work of the season.

But in the twelfth, with Chris Ryan on the mound and the bullpen running on fumes, Edwin Frescas lined a double into the right‑center gap to send the home crowd home happy and the Prayers to the locker room in silence.

“This was one of those ‘not to be denied’ games,” Angels manager Dusty Donovan said.

Sacramento, meanwhile, trudged off the field knowing they had let another winnable game slip away.

★ ★ ★

THURSDAY, MAY 10 — ANGELS 6, PRAYERS 2
Thomas dominates; Sacramento’s bats go quiet again

The sweep was completed with a performance that left Sacramento shaking its head. Nashville starter Steven Thomas carved through the Prayers’ lineup with surgical precision — seven innings, ten strikeouts, one walk, and almost no hard contact.

The lone bright spot was George MacDonald, who homered in the fourth and doubled in the ninth. But the rest of the lineup mustered just five hits. Prayers' bats were starting to catch a cold.

Sacramento’s defense was clean, the bullpen held together, and the opportunities were there. But the Angels executed, and the Prayers didn’t.

“We’re pressing,” Aces admitted. “We’re trying to win games with one swing instead of one inning at a time.”

★ ★ ★

FRIDAY, MAY 11 — CHERUBS 5, PRAYERS 2
Costner torches Sacramento; Gaias takes rare misstep

Moving on to Tucson didn't change the luck. The losing streak reached four as the Prayers traveled to Tucson and ran into a red‑hot J.J. Costner. The Cherubs’ right fielder torched Sacramento pitching, going 4‑for‑4 with two doubles and two RBI, including a seventh‑inning shot down the line that broke the game open.

Ricky Gaias, so steady all season, finally blinked. Tucson tagged him for five runs on nine hits, including a pair of home runs.

Sacramento again left runners everywhere — 11 stranded, six in scoring position.

“We’re getting guys on,” Eli Murguia said. “We’re just not getting that one swing to change the inning.”

★ ★ ★

SATURDAY, MAY 12 — CHERUBS 7, PRAYERS 2
de Leon’s four‑hit masterpiece hands Sacramento its fifth straight loss

Yesterday was more of the same. The week ended with another thump, this time courtesy of Dave de Leon, who delivered one of the best individual performances Sacramento has seen all year, feasted on Sacramento’s arms, going 4‑for‑4 with two doubles, a homer, and four RBI.

The Prayers actually scored first, thanks to Bret Perez and Alejandro Lopez, but the lead evaporated quickly. Tucson scored in the first, third, fifth, and seventh, steadily pulling away while Sacramento’s offense sputtered.

Russ Gray battled but couldn’t contain the middle of the Cherubs’ order. Aaron Gilbert was hit hard in relief. And the Prayers, for the fifth straight game, never found the big inning they needed.

“Today was a lot of fun,” de Leon said afterward, a quote Sacramento fans will not enjoy reading.

★ ★ ★

WEEK IN REVIEW: A CONTENDER STAGGERS, BUT DOES NOT FALL

Sacramento finishes the week 25–13, still in first place, still with the league’s best run differential in the West, still with the best closer in baseball under contract for five more years.

But the warning signs are real:

- The rotation is tired.
- The bullpen is overworked.
- The offense is leaving entire lineups on base.
- And the team’s identity — relentless, opportunistic, unflappable — wavered for the first time all season.

The good news? They remain the most talented roster in the division, and Edwin Musco is playing like an MVP.

The bad news? The schedule doesn’t ease up. A four‑game set in Fort Worth looms, and the Spirits — though flawed — can hit.

Still, the clubhouse remains calm. “We’re not panicking,” Musco said. “We know who we are. We’ll get back to playing our baseball.” If history is any guide, he’s right. But after a 1–5 week, Sacramento suddenly has something it hasn’t felt in a month: urgency.

★ ★ ★

League-Wide News & Standings

The Prayers still hold the best record in the American League at 25-13, but the San Jose Demons (24-16) are now breathing down our necks, trailing by only 2.0 games.

In the AL East, the Columbus Heaven (24-16) are the hottest team in the division, holding a 3.5-game lead over the Boston Messiahs. Over in the National League, the Charlotte Monks (25-15) and Long Beach Diablos (24-15) are setting the pace.

★ ★ ★

The Contract Corner

The front office has been busy despite the slump.

* Alex Velasquez (RF): In a major move, the Prayers locked up Velasquez with a 4-year extension worth $1,620,000. Clearly, the team sees him as a cornerstone of the outfield.
* Bill Marcos (SS): Signed a 1-year extension worth $38,000 to provide depth.
* Willie Gonzalez (1B): Secured a minor league contract extension.

★ ★ ★

Who’s Hot

* SS Edwin Musco: Even during a team slump, Musco is hitting a blistering .455 with 3 HRs over his last 11 games. He’s the engine keeping this offense alive.
* 1B George MacDonald: Showing signs of life with a .317 average and some recent pop.

Who’s Not

* The Bullpen: After a stellar April, the relief corps (specifically the middle relief) has struggled to hold narrow leads during this road trip.
* P Russ Gray: Currently sitting with an "Exhausted" status and an ERA creeping toward 5.00.

★ ★ ★

Fan Mail: "The Front Pew"

Dear Gemmy,
Is it time to panic? Five losses in a row feels like the world is ending. Are we actually good, or was April just a giant fluke?
— Nervous Ned in Natomas

Gemmy: Take a deep breath, Ned! Every great team has a "dog days" week. We’re still 12 games over .500 and leading the division. The pitching staff is tired and we’ve run into some hot hitters in Nashville and Tucson. If we don’t take at least two from Fort Worth next week, then you can start looking for the exit signs. For now, keep the faith!

01-25-2026, 08:55 PM	#183
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 331	PRAYERS WEEKLY: MAY 6–12, 1990 By C.O. Pilot, Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle TUCSON — A week that began with Sacramento sitting atop the American League West at 25–8 ended with the club suddenly looking mortal, bruised by a five‑game losing streak and searching for answers as the calendar crept toward mid‑May. The Prayers still hold first place, still boast the league’s most dynamic shortstop in Edwin Musco, and still have a rotation that — when rested — can go pitch‑for‑pitch with anyone. But the past seven days offered a reminder that even the league’s best can wobble when the schedule tightens and the bullpen is stretched thin. The wheels haven't fallen off the wagon yet, but they’re definitely wobbling. What follows is the full chronicle of a turbulent, revealing week for Sacramento. ★ ★ ★ SUNDAY, MAY 6 — PRAYERS 4, MESSIAHS 2 Sacramento closes out Boston behind Gaias, Musco, and timely execution The week started on a high note at Sacramento Stadium with a crisp, workmanlike win over Boston, the kind of game Sacramento has made routine in 1990. Ricky Gaias delivered 6.1 innings of sharp, no‑nonsense pitching, striking out nine without issuing a walk. His fastball had late life, his slider stayed on the hands, and Boston never looked comfortable. The offense didn’t overwhelm, but it didn’t need to. Edwin Musco continued his torrid stretch, doubling in the fifth and homering in the seventh — his ninth of the season, a no‑doubt shot to left that brought the crowd to its feet. The pivotal moment came earlier, though, in the fourth. With the bases loaded and one out, Jose Rubbi lifted a deep sacrifice fly to right. “I’m just trying to make good contact,” Rubbi said afterward. “One at‑bat at a time.” Sacramento left the ballpark that night at 25–8, winners of seven of their last nine, and looking every bit like the class of the league. Little did we know the "Music City" was about to change the tune. They would not win again for six days. ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, MAY 8 — ANGELS 7, PRAYERS 2 Shank and Serrano ambush Sacramento; offense strands 11 The road trip to Nashville began with a thud in Anaheim. The Angels, a streaky but dangerous club, jumped on Bernardo Andretti early and never let Sacramento breathe. Andretti took his first loss of the season, struggling to contain the Angels' persistent attack. The story of the night was John Shank, Nashville's one-man wrecking crew, who went 3‑for‑4 with a double, a homer, and three runs scored. His seventh‑inning blast off Aaron Gilbert effectively sealed the game. Sacramento had chances—plenty of them. Ten hits, four walks, and a parade of baserunners. But the Prayers stranded 11, including five in scoring position with two outs. “We put runners on, we just didn’t finish innings,” manager Jimmy Aces said. “That’s the difference between a competitive loss and a win.” ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 — ANGELS 6, PRAYERS 5 (12 INNINGS) A marathon, a missed opportunity, and a walk‑off dagger If Tuesday was frustrating, Wednesday was downright exasperating. The "Game of the Week" was also the most painful. Sacramento jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first, added another in the third, and looked poised to steady themselves. But Nashville chipped away, then surged ahead on a Carlos Vargas two‑run homer in the seventh. Still, the Prayers fought back. Edwin Musco tied the game with a two‑out RBI single in the fourth. Luis Prieto delivered three scoreless innings of relief — his best work of the season. But in the twelfth, with Chris Ryan on the mound and the bullpen running on fumes, Edwin Frescas lined a double into the right‑center gap to send the home crowd home happy and the Prayers to the locker room in silence. “This was one of those ‘not to be denied’ games,” Angels manager Dusty Donovan said. Sacramento, meanwhile, trudged off the field knowing they had let another winnable game slip away. ★ ★ ★ THURSDAY, MAY 10 — ANGELS 6, PRAYERS 2 Thomas dominates; Sacramento’s bats go quiet again The sweep was completed with a performance that left Sacramento shaking its head. Nashville starter Steven Thomas carved through the Prayers’ lineup with surgical precision — seven innings, ten strikeouts, one walk, and almost no hard contact. The lone bright spot was George MacDonald, who homered in the fourth and doubled in the ninth. But the rest of the lineup mustered just five hits. Prayers' bats were starting to catch a cold. Sacramento’s defense was clean, the bullpen held together, and the opportunities were there. But the Angels executed, and the Prayers didn’t. “We’re pressing,” Aces admitted. “We’re trying to win games with one swing instead of one inning at a time.” ★ ★ ★ FRIDAY, MAY 11 — CHERUBS 5, PRAYERS 2 Costner torches Sacramento; Gaias takes rare misstep Moving on to Tucson didn't change the luck. The losing streak reached four as the Prayers traveled to Tucson and ran into a red‑hot J.J. Costner. The Cherubs’ right fielder torched Sacramento pitching, going 4‑for‑4 with two doubles and two RBI, including a seventh‑inning shot down the line that broke the game open. Ricky Gaias, so steady all season, finally blinked. Tucson tagged him for five runs on nine hits, including a pair of home runs. Sacramento again left runners everywhere — 11 stranded, six in scoring position. “We’re getting guys on,” Eli Murguia said. “We’re just not getting that one swing to change the inning.” ★ ★ ★ SATURDAY, MAY 12 — CHERUBS 7, PRAYERS 2 de Leon’s four‑hit masterpiece hands Sacramento its fifth straight loss Yesterday was more of the same. The week ended with another thump, this time courtesy of Dave de Leon, who delivered one of the best individual performances Sacramento has seen all year, feasted on Sacramento’s arms, going 4‑for‑4 with two doubles, a homer, and four RBI. The Prayers actually scored first, thanks to Bret Perez and Alejandro Lopez, but the lead evaporated quickly. Tucson scored in the first, third, fifth, and seventh, steadily pulling away while Sacramento’s offense sputtered. Russ Gray battled but couldn’t contain the middle of the Cherubs’ order. Aaron Gilbert was hit hard in relief. And the Prayers, for the fifth straight game, never found the big inning they needed. “Today was a lot of fun,” de Leon said afterward, a quote Sacramento fans will not enjoy reading. ★ ★ ★ WEEK IN REVIEW: A CONTENDER STAGGERS, BUT DOES NOT FALL Sacramento finishes the week 25–13, still in first place, still with the league’s best run differential in the West, still with the best closer in baseball under contract for five more years. But the warning signs are real: - The rotation is tired. - The bullpen is overworked. - The offense is leaving entire lineups on base. - And the team’s identity — relentless, opportunistic, unflappable — wavered for the first time all season. The good news? They remain the most talented roster in the division, and Edwin Musco is playing like an MVP. The bad news? The schedule doesn’t ease up. A four‑game set in Fort Worth looms, and the Spirits — though flawed — can hit. Still, the clubhouse remains calm. “We’re not panicking,” Musco said. “We know who we are. We’ll get back to playing our baseball.” If history is any guide, he’s right. But after a 1–5 week, Sacramento suddenly has something it hasn’t felt in a month: urgency. ★ ★ ★ League-Wide News & Standings The Prayers still hold the best record in the American League at 25-13, but the San Jose Demons (24-16) are now breathing down our necks, trailing by only 2.0 games. In the AL East, the Columbus Heaven (24-16) are the hottest team in the division, holding a 3.5-game lead over the Boston Messiahs. Over in the National League, the Charlotte Monks (25-15) and Long Beach Diablos (24-15) are setting the pace. ★ ★ ★ The Contract Corner The front office has been busy despite the slump. * Alex Velasquez (RF): In a major move, the Prayers locked up Velasquez with a 4-year extension worth $1,620,000. Clearly, the team sees him as a cornerstone of the outfield. * Bill Marcos (SS): Signed a 1-year extension worth $38,000 to provide depth. * Willie Gonzalez (1B): Secured a minor league contract extension. ★ ★ ★ Who’s Hot * SS Edwin Musco: Even during a team slump, Musco is hitting a blistering .455 with 3 HRs over his last 11 games. He’s the engine keeping this offense alive. * 1B George MacDonald: Showing signs of life with a .317 average and some recent pop. Who’s Not * The Bullpen: After a stellar April, the relief corps (specifically the middle relief) has struggled to hold narrow leads during this road trip. * P Russ Gray: Currently sitting with an "Exhausted" status and an ERA creeping toward 5.00. ★ ★ ★ Fan Mail: "The Front Pew" Dear Gemmy, Is it time to panic? Five losses in a row feels like the world is ending. Are we actually good, or was April just a giant fluke? — Nervous Ned in Natomas Gemmy: Take a deep breath, Ned! Every great team has a "dog days" week. We’re still 12 games over .500 and leading the division. The pitching staff is tired and we’ve run into some hot hitters in Nashville and Tucson. If we don’t take at least two from Fort Worth next week, then you can start looking for the exit signs. For now, keep the faith! Last edited by liberty-ca; 01-25-2026 at 08:56 PM.