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liberty-ca · 01-30-2026, 12:04 AM

BNN WEEK IN RETROSPECT – PRAYERS WEEKLY
SACRAMENTO PRAYERS: JUNE 10 – JUNE 15, 1990
By Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

If you’ve been following the Prayers this week, I hope you’ve had your blood pressure checked recently. We’ve seen walk-off heroics, bullpen collapses, a ten-run explosion that felt like a fever dream, and a shutout in the land of cheese and beer. The Sacramento Prayers entered the week of June 10 sitting atop the AL West, a club that had spent the better part of six weeks alternating between dominance and turbulence. What followed was a stretch that showcased nearly every facet of their identity: the late‑inning volatility, the power‑driven resilience, the rotation’s steady backbone, and — by week’s end — the reminder that even elite teams can run headlong into a well‑timed pitching performance.

Across five games, Sacramento went 2–3, losing two extra‑inning heartbreakers, splitting a three‑game set with Seattle, and finishing the week with a frustrating shutout in Milwaukee. Yet the week also featured a 13‑run eruption, a walk‑off, and continued excellence from the club’s two most reliable arms: Bernardo Andretti and Jordan Rubalcava. At 42-27, the Prayers are still the class of the AL West, but the Tucson Cherubs are starting to loom in the rearview mirror, closing the gap to 5.5 games. It was a week that proved this team has plenty of "spunk" — to borrow a word from George MacDonald — but also a week that showed the heavy toll a long season takes on a pitching staff.

★ ★ ★

Sunday, June 10 — Fort Worth Spirits at Sacramento Prayers

Fort Worth 9, Sacramento 8 (10 innings)
The Ninth-Inning Nightmare

The series finale against the Spirits was a roller coaster that ended in a derailed car. If the Prayers needed a reminder that no lead is safe in the AL West, Fort Worth delivered it in a ten‑inning slugfest that swung wildly in both directions. The Prayers let a late lead slip away Sunday afternoon, falling 9–8 to Fort Worth in ten innings despite a four-run rally in the ninth that briefly turned the ballpark inside out.

Sacramento trailed 6–3 after six and 8–4 entering the bottom of the ninth before Al Velasquez and George MacDonald helped ignite the comeback, with MacDonald’s two-run homer off Bobby McLamb tying the game. The momentum, however, didn’t carry into the tenth. Tony Arciga lined a run-scoring single off Chris Ryan to restore the Spirits’ lead, and Fort Worth held on.

Hector Iniguez was one of the bright spots, going 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Gil Cruz homered and doubled, continuing a quiet but meaningful upward trend in his production. Manager Jimmy Aces praised the fight but lamented the execution:

“We showed a lot of heart. But we gave away too many outs early, and in games like this, they come back to haunt you. We showed some fight late,” said manager Jimmy Aces, “but you can’t spot a club like that six innings and expect it to come easy.”

A messy game with five combined errors and a blown lead — not the way you want to spend a Sunday. The loss dropped Sacramento to 40–25, still firmly in first but feeling the pressure of a tightening division.

★ ★ ★

Monday, June 11 — Seattle Lucifers at Sacramento Prayers

Seattle 3, Sacramento 2
Sanderson’s Spell

Monday night felt like a hangover from the Fort Worth finale. A well-pitched game turned on one swing, and it went Seattle’s way. Seattle’s Ray Sanderson, despite a bloated ERA, turned into Cy Young for six innings.

The game swung on one swing in the 7th. With Ricky Gaias pitching a gutsy game, Seattle's Gus Arispe came off the bench and launched a pinch-hit, two-run homer. It was a classic "trap game" scenario where the Prayers out-hit the Lucifers 11-7 but couldn't find the clutch hit when it mattered most.

Sacramento scratched out runs on a Joe Rodriguez solo homer and an RBI double from George MacDonald, but stranded eight runners and couldn’t break through against Seattle’s bullpen. Sacramento had chances late, including a two‑on, one‑out situation in the ninth, but Seattle’s bullpen held firm.

Aces didn’t mince words afterward: “We had the right guys up at the right times, we just didn’t cash in.”

The loss marked the club’s third straight, their longest skid since early April, evened the homestand record and moved Sacramento to 40–26.

★ ★ ★

Tuesday, June 12 — Seattle Lucifers at Sacramento Prayers

Sacramento 8, Seattle 7 (10 innings)
Redemption at the Plate

Tuesday was, quite frankly, insane. The Prayers answered back Tuesday with one of their grittier wins of the season, outlasting Seattle 8–7 in ten innings. The Prayers snapped their skid in dramatic fashion, outlasting Seattle in a back‑and‑forth contest that featured three lead changes, a late Seattle surge, and a walk‑off single from Alex Vieyra in the tenth.

George MacDonald delivered his best game of the season — 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, and two RBI — continuing a June surge that has begun to stabilize the middle of the order. Bret Perez and Alex Velasquez also homered, while Luis Prieto blew a save but earned the win. The bullpen bent late — Seattle’s Joe Hill tied the game with a three-run homer in the ninth — but Mike Wright worked a clean tenth to earn his first win.

MacDonald summed up the mood: “Our team showed some spunk. We needed this one.”

The victory pushed Sacramento to 41–26, halting the slide and setting up a rubber match.

★ ★ ★

Wednesday, June 13 — Seattle Lucifers at Sacramento Prayers

Sacramento 13, Seattle 3
The Ten-Run Avalanche

After two nail-biters, the finale was a release valve. The game was tight at 3-1 heading into the 8th. Then, the floodgates didn't just open; they were demolished. Sacramento erupted for 10 runs in the eighth inning, turning a 3–3 tie into a rout.

Hector Iniguez was the star, going 3-for-5 with four RBI, including a bases‑clearing double that broke the game open. Eli Murguia added three hits, Gil Cruz drove in two, and George MacDonald launched his seventh homer of the year.

On the mound, Bernardo Andretti delivered another steady outing—5.2 innings, one run—continuing a season in which he has quietly become one of the AL’s most dependable starters.

Seattle manager Tony Sotelo summed it up succinctly: “Bad day. New day tomorrow.”

For the Prayers, it was the kind of emphatic win that resets a clubhouse’s energy. Sacramento took the series and moved to 42–26.

★ ★ ★

Friday, June 15 — Sacramento Prayers at Milwaukee Bishops

Milwaukee 2, Sacramento 0
Chilled in Milwaukee

The road trip started with a thud at County Stadium. After a travel day, the Prayers opened their Milwaukee series with a matchup of two of the league’s most efficient starters: Jordan Rubalcava and Ozzie Aguilar. The result was a crisp, low‑scoring duel that turned in the eighth inning, when Milwaukee scratched across two runs against Rubalcava and reliever Chris Ryan.

Jordan Rubalcava did everything he could, tossing seven innings of four-hit ball and striking out seven. On most nights, that’s a win. But the Prayers' bats apparently didn't make the flight to Milwaukee. Sacramento managed eight hits but never strung them together to mount a sustained threat. Hector Iniguez had three of them, continuing his torrid week, while Edwin Musco added two more to keep his average above .280.

Aguilar, who worked 7.2 scoreless innings, credited his teammates: “Energy and focus on the part of everyone. That’s what wins games like this.”

The loss dropped Sacramento to 42–27, still leading the AL West but now feeling the Cherubs creeping closer.

★ ★ ★

WEEKLY THEMES & TRENDS

1. The Rotation Remains the Backbone
Andretti and Rubalcava combined for 13.2 innings, 3 earned runs, continuing their season‑long excellence. Even in the losses, they kept Sacramento competitive.

2. The Bullpen Was Volatile
Prieto blew a save, Ryan took a loss, and Estrada struggled in limited work. Sacramento’s relief corps has been a strength most of the year, but this week showed cracks.

3. The Offense Oscillated Wildly
- 8 runs on June 12
- 13 runs on June 13
- 0 runs on June 15

The lineup remains powerful but streaky, especially with Francisco Hernandez still nursing back spasms.

4. Iniguez and MacDonald Are Heating Up
Both delivered pivotal hits throughout the week, and both appear to be trending upward at a crucial time.

★ ★ ★

STANDINGS SNAPSHOT (as of June 15)

AL West Division

1. Sacramento – 42–27
2. Tucson – 38–34 (5.5 GB)
3. San Jose – 37–35 (6.5 GB)
4. Fort Worth – 33–38 (10 GB)
5. Seattle – 29–43 (14.5 GB)
6. El Paso – 25–46 (18 GB)

Sacramento remains in control, but the cushion is thinner than it was a week ago. Despite the uneven week, Sacramento remains firmly in contention at 42–27, still positioned among the American League’s top clubs. The Prayers’ run differential and pitching depth continue to prop them up, but recent late-inning losses have trimmed what was once a more comfortable cushion.

★ ★ ★

LEAGUE-WIDE GOSSIP

* The AL East Grudge Match: Columbus (43-28) and Boston (42-28) are locked in a death struggle. Neither team has led by more than a game for nearly two weeks. It’s the best theater in baseball right now. Seattle continued to struggle defensively and in late innings, while Milwaukee’s rotation quietly posted one of the league’s best ERA marks over the past two weeks. Fort Worth’s bullpen, shaky early, has stabilized behind McLamb and Morales.
* Interleague Watch: The Detroit Preachers are looking like the most complete team in baseball, sitting at 42-28 and leading a very tough NL East. If the season ended today, a Prayers-Preachers World Series would be a theological dream for headline writers.
* The Injury Bug: While we wait for Fernando Salazar to return (expected next week), keep an eye on Gil Caliari. Word is his shoulder inflammation is responding well to treatment, but he’s still at least a month away from throwing off a mound.

★ ★ ★

FAN MAIL — QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW

Dear Gemmy,
Is it time to worry about Luis Prieto? That blown save against Seattle was ugly. Has the league figured him out, or is he just tired?
— Save-Us Sam

Gemmy: Sam, take a deep breath. Prieto has been nearly perfect for two months. One blown save doesn't mean the "book is out" on him. That said, the volume of extra-inning games lately has forced Jimmy Aces to use his high-leverage guys more than he’d like. It’s not a lack of stuff; it’s a lack of fresh oxygen. Let’s see how he bounces back in Phoenix.

Dear Gemmy,
I see Edwin Musco is still playing every day and leading the team in HRs, but still no contract news. What gives? Does he want to leave Sacramento?
— Shortstop Stan

Gemmy: Stan, the silence is deafening, isn't it? Musco is betting on himself. By not signing the $2.5M extension now, he’s hoping to drive that price up toward $3M if he finishes with 30+ homers. The front office is playing a dangerous game — if they wait too long, they might find themselves in a bidding war they can't win. My gut? They’ll wait until the All-Star break to make a final push.

★ ★ ★

GEMMY’S TAKE

"We are entering the 'Dog Days' a bit early. The offense is boom-or-bust right now — either they’re hanging 13 runs or getting shut out. We need more consistency from the middle of the order, specifically Gil Cruz and Alex Velasquez. They've had their moments, but a .202 and .231 average respectively isn't going to cut it when we get into the heat of July. The pitching is holding the line, but the bats need to start carrying their fair share of the ruckus. Also, let's stop playing extra innings for a while, okay? My heart — and the bullpen's arms — can't take it."

★ ★ ★

LOOKING AHEAD
The Prayers finish their Milwaukee series on June 17 before heading to Phoenix for a three‑game set. With Hernandez still day‑to‑day and the bullpen showing signs of fatigue, Sacramento will need continued stability from its rotation and more consistency from the middle of the order.

This was one of those weeks that doesn’t show up cleanly in the standings but leaves a bruise. But as this week showed, the Prayers remain a team capable of explosive offense, resilient comebacks, and dominant pitching — sometimes all in the same series. Good teams survive weeks like this. Great ones learn from them.

01-30-2026, 12:04 AM	#188
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 347	BNN WEEK IN RETROSPECT – PRAYERS WEEKLY SACRAMENTO PRAYERS: JUNE 10 – JUNE 15, 1990 By Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle If you’ve been following the Prayers this week, I hope you’ve had your blood pressure checked recently. We’ve seen walk-off heroics, bullpen collapses, a ten-run explosion that felt like a fever dream, and a shutout in the land of cheese and beer. The Sacramento Prayers entered the week of June 10 sitting atop the AL West, a club that had spent the better part of six weeks alternating between dominance and turbulence. What followed was a stretch that showcased nearly every facet of their identity: the late‑inning volatility, the power‑driven resilience, the rotation’s steady backbone, and — by week’s end — the reminder that even elite teams can run headlong into a well‑timed pitching performance. Across five games, Sacramento went 2–3, losing two extra‑inning heartbreakers, splitting a three‑game set with Seattle, and finishing the week with a frustrating shutout in Milwaukee. Yet the week also featured a 13‑run eruption, a walk‑off, and continued excellence from the club’s two most reliable arms: Bernardo Andretti and Jordan Rubalcava. At 42-27, the Prayers are still the class of the AL West, but the Tucson Cherubs are starting to loom in the rearview mirror, closing the gap to 5.5 games. It was a week that proved this team has plenty of "spunk" — to borrow a word from George MacDonald — but also a week that showed the heavy toll a long season takes on a pitching staff. ★ ★ ★ Sunday, June 10 — Fort Worth Spirits at Sacramento Prayers Fort Worth 9, Sacramento 8 (10 innings) The Ninth-Inning Nightmare The series finale against the Spirits was a roller coaster that ended in a derailed car. If the Prayers needed a reminder that no lead is safe in the AL West, Fort Worth delivered it in a ten‑inning slugfest that swung wildly in both directions. The Prayers let a late lead slip away Sunday afternoon, falling 9–8 to Fort Worth in ten innings despite a four-run rally in the ninth that briefly turned the ballpark inside out. Sacramento trailed 6–3 after six and 8–4 entering the bottom of the ninth before Al Velasquez and George MacDonald helped ignite the comeback, with MacDonald’s two-run homer off Bobby McLamb tying the game. The momentum, however, didn’t carry into the tenth. Tony Arciga lined a run-scoring single off Chris Ryan to restore the Spirits’ lead, and Fort Worth held on. Hector Iniguez was one of the bright spots, going 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Gil Cruz homered and doubled, continuing a quiet but meaningful upward trend in his production. Manager Jimmy Aces praised the fight but lamented the execution: “We showed a lot of heart. But we gave away too many outs early, and in games like this, they come back to haunt you. We showed some fight late,” said manager Jimmy Aces, “but you can’t spot a club like that six innings and expect it to come easy.” A messy game with five combined errors and a blown lead — not the way you want to spend a Sunday. The loss dropped Sacramento to 40–25, still firmly in first but feeling the pressure of a tightening division. ★ ★ ★ Monday, June 11 — Seattle Lucifers at Sacramento Prayers Seattle 3, Sacramento 2 Sanderson’s Spell Monday night felt like a hangover from the Fort Worth finale. A well-pitched game turned on one swing, and it went Seattle’s way. Seattle’s Ray Sanderson, despite a bloated ERA, turned into Cy Young for six innings. The game swung on one swing in the 7th. With Ricky Gaias pitching a gutsy game, Seattle's Gus Arispe came off the bench and launched a pinch-hit, two-run homer. It was a classic "trap game" scenario where the Prayers out-hit the Lucifers 11-7 but couldn't find the clutch hit when it mattered most. Sacramento scratched out runs on a Joe Rodriguez solo homer and an RBI double from George MacDonald, but stranded eight runners and couldn’t break through against Seattle’s bullpen. Sacramento had chances late, including a two‑on, one‑out situation in the ninth, but Seattle’s bullpen held firm. Aces didn’t mince words afterward: “We had the right guys up at the right times, we just didn’t cash in.” The loss marked the club’s third straight, their longest skid since early April, evened the homestand record and moved Sacramento to 40–26. ★ ★ ★ Tuesday, June 12 — Seattle Lucifers at Sacramento Prayers Sacramento 8, Seattle 7 (10 innings) Redemption at the Plate Tuesday was, quite frankly, insane. The Prayers answered back Tuesday with one of their grittier wins of the season, outlasting Seattle 8–7 in ten innings. The Prayers snapped their skid in dramatic fashion, outlasting Seattle in a back‑and‑forth contest that featured three lead changes, a late Seattle surge, and a walk‑off single from Alex Vieyra in the tenth. George MacDonald delivered his best game of the season — 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, and two RBI — continuing a June surge that has begun to stabilize the middle of the order. Bret Perez and Alex Velasquez also homered, while Luis Prieto blew a save but earned the win. The bullpen bent late — Seattle’s Joe Hill tied the game with a three-run homer in the ninth — but Mike Wright worked a clean tenth to earn his first win. MacDonald summed up the mood: “Our team showed some spunk. We needed this one.” The victory pushed Sacramento to 41–26, halting the slide and setting up a rubber match. ★ ★ ★ Wednesday, June 13 — Seattle Lucifers at Sacramento Prayers Sacramento 13, Seattle 3 The Ten-Run Avalanche After two nail-biters, the finale was a release valve. The game was tight at 3-1 heading into the 8th. Then, the floodgates didn't just open; they were demolished. Sacramento erupted for 10 runs in the eighth inning, turning a 3–3 tie into a rout. Hector Iniguez was the star, going 3-for-5 with four RBI, including a bases‑clearing double that broke the game open. Eli Murguia added three hits, Gil Cruz drove in two, and George MacDonald launched his seventh homer of the year. On the mound, Bernardo Andretti delivered another steady outing—5.2 innings, one run—continuing a season in which he has quietly become one of the AL’s most dependable starters. Seattle manager Tony Sotelo summed it up succinctly: “Bad day. New day tomorrow.” For the Prayers, it was the kind of emphatic win that resets a clubhouse’s energy. Sacramento took the series and moved to 42–26. ★ ★ ★ Friday, June 15 — Sacramento Prayers at Milwaukee Bishops Milwaukee 2, Sacramento 0 Chilled in Milwaukee The road trip started with a thud at County Stadium. After a travel day, the Prayers opened their Milwaukee series with a matchup of two of the league’s most efficient starters: Jordan Rubalcava and Ozzie Aguilar. The result was a crisp, low‑scoring duel that turned in the eighth inning, when Milwaukee scratched across two runs against Rubalcava and reliever Chris Ryan. Jordan Rubalcava did everything he could, tossing seven innings of four-hit ball and striking out seven. On most nights, that’s a win. But the Prayers' bats apparently didn't make the flight to Milwaukee. Sacramento managed eight hits but never strung them together to mount a sustained threat. Hector Iniguez had three of them, continuing his torrid week, while Edwin Musco added two more to keep his average above .280. Aguilar, who worked 7.2 scoreless innings, credited his teammates: “Energy and focus on the part of everyone. That’s what wins games like this.” The loss dropped Sacramento to 42–27, still leading the AL West but now feeling the Cherubs creeping closer. ★ ★ ★ WEEKLY THEMES & TRENDS 1. The Rotation Remains the Backbone Andretti and Rubalcava combined for 13.2 innings, 3 earned runs, continuing their season‑long excellence. Even in the losses, they kept Sacramento competitive. 2. The Bullpen Was Volatile Prieto blew a save, Ryan took a loss, and Estrada struggled in limited work. Sacramento’s relief corps has been a strength most of the year, but this week showed cracks. 3. The Offense Oscillated Wildly - 8 runs on June 12 - 13 runs on June 13 - 0 runs on June 15 The lineup remains powerful but streaky, especially with Francisco Hernandez still nursing back spasms. 4. Iniguez and MacDonald Are Heating Up Both delivered pivotal hits throughout the week, and both appear to be trending upward at a crucial time. ★ ★ ★ STANDINGS SNAPSHOT (as of June 15) AL West Division 1. Sacramento – 42–27 2. Tucson – 38–34 (5.5 GB) 3. San Jose – 37–35 (6.5 GB) 4. Fort Worth – 33–38 (10 GB) 5. Seattle – 29–43 (14.5 GB) 6. El Paso – 25–46 (18 GB) Sacramento remains in control, but the cushion is thinner than it was a week ago. Despite the uneven week, Sacramento remains firmly in contention at 42–27, still positioned among the American League’s top clubs. The Prayers’ run differential and pitching depth continue to prop them up, but recent late-inning losses have trimmed what was once a more comfortable cushion. ★ ★ ★ LEAGUE-WIDE GOSSIP * The AL East Grudge Match: Columbus (43-28) and Boston (42-28) are locked in a death struggle. Neither team has led by more than a game for nearly two weeks. It’s the best theater in baseball right now. Seattle continued to struggle defensively and in late innings, while Milwaukee’s rotation quietly posted one of the league’s best ERA marks over the past two weeks. Fort Worth’s bullpen, shaky early, has stabilized behind McLamb and Morales. * Interleague Watch: The Detroit Preachers are looking like the most complete team in baseball, sitting at 42-28 and leading a very tough NL East. If the season ended today, a Prayers-Preachers World Series would be a theological dream for headline writers. * The Injury Bug: While we wait for Fernando Salazar to return (expected next week), keep an eye on Gil Caliari. Word is his shoulder inflammation is responding well to treatment, but he’s still at least a month away from throwing off a mound. ★ ★ ★ FAN MAIL — QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW Dear Gemmy, Is it time to worry about Luis Prieto? That blown save against Seattle was ugly. Has the league figured him out, or is he just tired? — Save-Us Sam Gemmy: Sam, take a deep breath. Prieto has been nearly perfect for two months. One blown save doesn't mean the "book is out" on him. That said, the volume of extra-inning games lately has forced Jimmy Aces to use his high-leverage guys more than he’d like. It’s not a lack of stuff; it’s a lack of fresh oxygen. Let’s see how he bounces back in Phoenix. Dear Gemmy, I see Edwin Musco is still playing every day and leading the team in HRs, but still no contract news. What gives? Does he want to leave Sacramento? — Shortstop Stan Gemmy: Stan, the silence is deafening, isn't it? Musco is betting on himself. By not signing the $2.5M extension now, he’s hoping to drive that price up toward $3M if he finishes with 30+ homers. The front office is playing a dangerous game — if they wait too long, they might find themselves in a bidding war they can't win. My gut? They’ll wait until the All-Star break to make a final push. ★ ★ ★ GEMMY’S TAKE "We are entering the 'Dog Days' a bit early. The offense is boom-or-bust right now — either they’re hanging 13 runs or getting shut out. We need more consistency from the middle of the order, specifically Gil Cruz and Alex Velasquez. They've had their moments, but a .202 and .231 average respectively isn't going to cut it when we get into the heat of July. The pitching is holding the line, but the bats need to start carrying their fair share of the ruckus. Also, let's stop playing extra innings for a while, okay? My heart — and the bullpen's arms — can't take it." ★ ★ ★ LOOKING AHEAD The Prayers finish their Milwaukee series on June 17 before heading to Phoenix for a three‑game set. With Hernandez still day‑to‑day and the bullpen showing signs of fatigue, Sacramento will need continued stability from its rotation and more consistency from the middle of the order. This was one of those weeks that doesn’t show up cleanly in the standings but leaves a bruise. But as this week showed, the Prayers remain a team capable of explosive offense, resilient comebacks, and dominant pitching — sometimes all in the same series. Good teams survive weeks like this. Great ones learn from them. Last edited by liberty-ca; 01-30-2026 at 12:18 AM.