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liberty-ca · 01-30-2026, 12:55 PM

BNN WEEK IN RETROSPECT – PRAYERS WEEKLY
SACRAMENTO PRAYERS: JUNE 17 – JUNE 23, 1990
By Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle

The Sacramento Prayers closed out the third week of June with a stretch that felt like a microcosm of their season: power when needed, pitching that veered from brilliant to bruised, a lineup reshuffled by injuries, and — at the center of it all — a club that keeps finding ways to win. Sacramento finished the week 5–2, pushed their AL West lead to a commanding margin, and watched two of their most important arms — Bernardo Andretti and Robby Larson — deliver signature performances that steadied the club at key moments.

This was a week defined by travel, attrition, and the emergence of a new offensive spark in Francisco Hernandez, all culminating in Andretti’s Saturday masterpiece: a 1–0 shutout that reminded the league why Sacramento’s ace remains one of the most reliable pitchers of his era.

It was a Shakespearean drama played out on diamonds of grass and dirt. We watched the Prayers extend their lead in the AL West to a comfortable 8.0 games, but the celebration in the clubhouse is tempered by a heavy silence. The victory parade has a prominent empty seat: Eli Murguia. The atmosphere in Sacramento right now is a strange cocktail of champagne and medicinal rubbing alcohol. On one hand, the Prayers are playing some of the most inspired, dominant baseball this city has ever seen. On the other, the sight of Eli Murguia being carried off the field in Milwaukee still haunts the faithful. We are 10 games over .500, yet the collective breath of the city is held tight.

At 48-28, the Prayers are the first team in the American League to flirt with 50 wins, but the road ahead just got a lot steeper.

★ ★ ★

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 — DOUBLEHEADER IN MILWAUKEE

Game 1: Sacramento 4, Milwaukee 3
A Heavy Price for a Win

The Sunday doubleheader in Milwaukee began with a bang and ended with a heartbreak. Robby Larson, the three‑time Gold Glover whose season has been uneven at times, delivered one of his most composed outings of the year. He scattered four hits across 6.2 innings, and though Milwaukee clawed back late, Sacramento’s offense had already done its work.

The early blow came from Emilio Musco, who launched a two‑run homer in the first — his 14th of the season — continuing a June power surge that has made him one of the league’s most dangerous shortstops. Alex Velasquez added a solo shot in the seventh, but the decisive swing belonged to George MacDonald, who opened the ninth with a towering solo homer to break a 3–3 tie.

“If the effort is there, the wins will come,” Larson said afterward, a line that felt like a quiet mantra for a team grinding through injuries and travel.

Sacramento improved to 43–27. However, the stadium went quiet in the 4th when Eli Murguia went down. The diagnosis is a fractured ankle; he’s out for four months. The win felt like a loss the moment he was helped off the field.

Game 2: Sacramento 5, Milwaukee 3 (10 innings)
Extra-Inning Resilience

The nightcap proved this team has a short memory and a long heart. It was a different kind of fight — tighter, tenser, and ultimately decided by Sacramento’s depth. The Prayers made it a sweep of the day behind patience, power, and a late breakthrough in extras. Ricky Gaias battled through eight innings, allowing three runs but keeping the Prayers in striking distance. The offense finally broke through in the sixth on a two‑run MacDonald homer — his second of the day and ninth of the season.

The contest stayed knotted until the tenth, when Hector Iniguez played the hero, slapping an RBI single that broke the Bishops' back. “Our team found a way to get it done,” Gaias said, and it was hard to argue. Chris Ryan earned the win with a scoreless ninth. Luis Prieto closed the door for his 21st save. Velasquez continued his strong week, going 4-for-5, while MacDonald finished with two hits and two RBI.

Sacramento left Milwaukee 44–27, their division lead widening.

★ ★ ★

MONDAY, JUNE 18 — AT PHOENIX

Sacramento 5, Phoenix 1
Andretti’s Masterclass

The flight to Phoenix didn't cool down the bats. The Prayers carried momentum into the desert, riding the right arm of Bernardo Andretti to a crisp 5–1 victory. Andretti was in command from the first pitch. Working with a brisk tempo and a sharp fastball, he carved through the Phoenix lineup for 8.1 innings, allowing just one run and striking out two. His ERA dipped to 2.51. It was a clinical win that showcased why Andretti remains the ace of this staff.

“I had pretty good command out there,” Andretti said. It was understated, but accurate.

The offense gave him breathing room early: Francisco Hernandez homered in the first, Alex Vieyra and Hector Iniguez went back‑to‑back in the second, and Gil Cruz added a two‑out RBI in the sixth. Andretti improved to 9–2 on the season, and Chris Ryan finished it off. With the win Sacramento climbed to 45–27.

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, JUNE 19 — AT PHOENIX

Sacramento 10, Phoenix 4
The Velasquez Variety Show

This was the week’s offensive outburst. Sacramento hammered 12 hits, drew seven walks, and turned nearly every rally into damage.

If anyone wondered who would step up in Murguia’s absence, Alex Velasquez provided a loud answer. Alex Velasquez — who has quietly been one of the club’s most improved hitters — drove in three, including a solo homer in the second and a bases-clearing double in the eighth. Francisco Hernandez added a two‑run blast, his 10th of the season, Musco reached base three times, and Hector Iniguez went 3-for-4.

On the mound, Rafael Gray earned a much-needed win despite a rocky sixth, Aaron Gilbert closed it out for his first save, and the offense proved it could put up double digits even without their star left fielder.

Manager Jimmy Aces liked the direction. “As well as we’ve been playing, I think we can play even better,” he said.

Sacramento improved to 46–27.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 — AT PHOENIX

Phoenix 4, Sacramento 2
A Rare Speed Bump

The lone blemish of the road trip came in a game where Sacramento simply couldn’t convert opportunities. They left 14 runners on base, including multiple innings with two men aboard.

Francisco Hernandez did everything he could, going 2-for-4 with a two‑run homer and a stolen base, but even the best have off nights: Jordan Rubalcava pitched better than his line suggests (8 strikeouts over 7 innings), but Phoenix found holes in the defense, tagging him for 12 hits.

Dorian Wood’s two‑run double in the first set the tone, and Sacramento never fully recovered. Francisco Hernandez accounted for all of Sacramento's offense with a two-run homer, but the bats otherwise went cold in the dry Arizona air.

“Focus and intensity,” Wood said of Phoenix’s approach. Sacramento had both, but not the timely hit. The loss dropped the Prayers to 46–28.

★ ★ ★

FRIDAY, JUNE 22 — VS EL PASO

Sacramento 14, El Paso 0
The Record-Breaker

Back home, Sacramento unleashed its most dominant performance of the week. Returning home to Sacramento Stadium, the Prayers took out their frustrations on the lowly Abbots. This was the Alex Velasquez Game.

The left fielder tied the AL record with five hits, including two home runs, a pair of singles, and a three‑run blast in the eighth that sent Sacramento Stadium into a roar. He finished with seven RBI, the best single‑game achievement of his career. It was a historic performance that brought the 22,000 fans to their feet.

“Once you get ahead, it makes it a lot easier because you get a better pitch to hit.” Velasquez later explained his approach. “And you’re ready.”

El Paso managed six hits but never mounted a threat, as Sacramento pitching kept the Abbots off the board throughout. Robby Larson cruised through 8 innings of shutout ball, a stat line that would be the lead story on any other night, and the Prayers rolled to their most lopsided win of the season. The win improved Sacramento's record to 47–28.

★ ★ ★

SATURDAY, JUNE 23 — VS EL PASO

Sacramento 1, El Paso 0
Walking A Tightrope

In a stark contrast to Friday's blowout, Saturday was a classic pitcher's duel. Bernardo Andretti was once again spectacular, throwing 8 shutout innings for his 10th win of the year. Bernardo Andretti’s second start of the week was even better than his first. He authored one of the Prayers’ sharpest performances of the season Saturday night, working eight scoreless innings as Sacramento edged the Abbots, 1–0, before 22,458 at Sacramento Stadium.

Andretti allowed just four hits, walked two, and struck out seven, consistently working ahead in the count. The game’s lone run came in the bottom of the first inning, when Bret Perez scored on Francisco Hernandez’s sacrifice fly after an El Paso error extended the frame.

“Bernardo was pounding the zone,” said manager Jimmy Aces. “That’s the kind of game that sets a tone.”

El Paso starter John Bradford nearly matched him, allowing only two hits over eight innings. Sacramento’s defense backed Andretti by turning three double plays, erasing El Paso’s best chances.

Luis Prieto closed it out with a clean ninth to earn his 22nd save in 23 opportunities. Andretti improved to 10–2 as the Prayers finished the week still in firm control of the division.

It was a gritty, ugly, beautiful win, the kind of win that championship teams bank on: quiet, clinical, and anchored by an ace who knows exactly who he is.

★ ★ ★

WEEK IN CONTEXT
Sacramento ends the week 48–28, holding the best record in the American League and an eight‑game cushion over Tucson. The rotation continues to be the backbone — Andretti and Larson combined for 23.2 innings and just one earned run this week — while the offense has found new life in Hernandez and Velasquez.

Injuries remain a concern. Eli Murguia’s fractured ankle removes a key left‑handed bat for months, and the club will need to lean on Mansfield, Cardenas, and Hernandez to cover the outfield load.

But the identity of this team is clear: deep, resilient, and increasingly confident.

As MacDonald put it earlier in the week, “We’re finding ways. That’s what good teams do.”

★ ★ ★

FAN MAIL — QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW

Dear Gemmy,
Four months without Murguia? Are you kidding me? He’s the engine of the offense. Can Mansfield or Cardenas actually fill those shoes, or do we need to make another trade?
— Anxious Al

Gemmy: Al, it’s a massive blow. Murguia wasn't just hitting for power; he was the emotional heartbeat of that dugout. While Velasquez has been "The Man" this week, expecting him to hit like a Hall of Famer every night is a tall order. Mansfield is hitting well (.349), but he doesn't have the "fear factor" Murguia provides. Don't be surprised if the front office uses that cash they just got from Boston to look for a veteran rental before the deadline.

Dear Gemmy,
I saw we traded Willie Estrada. He was struggling, but why trade him to Boston? They’re right in the thick of the AL East race. Aren't we helping a potential playoff rival?
— Skeptical Sarah

Gemmy: Sarah, it’s a fair question. Estrada had a 6.75 ERA and was falling out of the rotation's circle of trust. Getting $230,000 and a 21-year-old lefty prospect like Oscar Salinas for a struggling reliever is good business. The cash is likely the key here — it gives Jimmy Aces flexibility to make a move for a bat to cover Murguia’s injury.

Dear Gemmy,
What’s the deal with the Estrada trade? Selling a lefty to Boston feels like we’re giving a loaded gun to a guy we might have to fight in October. Was the cash really worth it?
— Trade-Wind Tony

Gemmy: Tony, follow the money. That $230,000 isn't just for a new scoreboard. With the trade deadline looming and Murguia in a cast, the Prayers are building a war chest. Oscar Salinas is a long-term project, but that cash gives us the leverage to go out and rent a big-time bat if Velasquez ever cools off. It’s a gamble, but one Jimmy Aces had to take.

Dear Gemmy,
I love this team, but I’m worried about the middle infield. Musco is a god, but Iniguez seems to disappear for weeks at a time. With the Murguia injury, can we really rely on our defense to carry us if the bats go cold?
— Sac-Town Stan

Gemmy: Stan, I hear you. Hector Iniguez is like a desert rain — rare, but vital when he shows up. He had a great week in Phoenix, but consistency is his white whale. The real concern is that Murguia’s injury puts more pressure on the defense to be perfect because we can't just "out-slug" our mistakes anymore. That said, as long as Musco is patrolling short, our "up-the-middle" defense remains elite.

★ ★ ★

THE LEDGER: TRANSACTION & INJURY WRAP-UP

The Trade:

The Prayers sent LHP Willie Estrada to the Boston Messiahs for LHP Oscar Salinas and $230,000. It’s a classic "sell high on potential/buy low on performance" move. The move clears a roster logjam and adds a developmental arm to the system. Salinas is a project, but the financial injection is what matters for a team in a pennant race.

The Infirmary:

* Eli Murguia (LF): Fractured Ankle. Out until late October. This is a season-defining injury.
* Fernando Salazar (P): Stress reaction in elbow. He is expected back in the next 48 hours. His return couldn't be more timely for a tired bullpen.
* Gil Caliari (P): Shoulder. Still about 3 weeks away from returning to the active roster.

★ ★ ★

LEAGUE GOSSIP & STANDINGS

[i] The Contract Cloud: Whispers from the front office suggest that contract talks with Edwin Musco have hit a "significant" lull. Musco is currently playing like an MVP candidate, and every home run he hits adds another zero to his asking price. With the Prayers sitting on a pile of cash from the Boston trade, the fans are starting to wonder: if we aren't spending it on an extension for the best shortstop in the league, what are we doing?
* The AL West Race: Sacramento is pulling away. With an 8.0 game lead over Tucson, the Prayers have the luxury of weathering the Murguia injury. However, the Tucson Cherubs are coming to town for a massive three-game set starting Monday. This series could either end the race or blow it wide open.
* AL East Heat: The AL East remains a bloodbath. The Columbus Heaven (45-32) hold a razor-thin half-game lead over the Boston Messiahs (44-32). Our trade of Willie Estrada to the Messiahs has already sparked "traitor" chants in Columbus. By sending Estrada to Boston, Sacramento might have inadvertently influenced the outcome of that division race.

Meanwhile, in the National League, the Detroit Preachers are setting a blistering pace at 46-30. If the season ended today, a Prayers - Preachers "Holy War" World Series would be the talk of the country.

★ ★ ★

GEMMY’S TAKE

"The loss of Murguia is the kind of event that tests the soul of a clubhouse. You can see the response already — Velasquez is playing like a man possessed, and Andretti is pitching with the cold efficiency of a late-night auditor. But the 1-0 win on Saturday is the most telling. This team can win when they're scoring 14, and they can win when they're scoring 1. That versatility is why they're 20 games over .500. Keep an eye on the Musco contract situation; if the Prayers don't lock him up soon, the Murguia injury might make him even more expensive as his leverage grows.

I’ve been watching baseball a long time, and I’ve learned that teams usually react to a superstar’s injury in one of two ways: they either curl into a fetal position or they find a new hero. This week, Alex Velasquez didn’t just step up; he kicked the door down and demanded the spotlight. His five-hit performance against El Paso was the kind of "don't count us out" manifesto that defines championship seasons.

But let’s be real for a second. Winning 1-0 games on two hits is a dangerous way to live. We are leaning heavily on Bernardo Andretti — who, at 10-2, is currently the frontrunner for the Cy Young — and a bullpen that is starting to show the wear and tear of a long June. The trade of Estrada for cash is a clear signal that the front office knows this roster is currently incomplete.

The upcoming series against the Tucson Cherubs is the most important set of the year so far. If we sweep, the West is effectively over by the Fourth of July. If we get swept, the ghost of Eli Murguia is going to start feeling a lot heavier in that clubhouse. This team has the talent, they have the grit, and now they have the "Next Man Up" motivation. Let’s see if they have the stamina."

01-30-2026, 12:55 PM	#189
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 331	BNN WEEK IN RETROSPECT – PRAYERS WEEKLY SACRAMENTO PRAYERS: JUNE 17 – JUNE 23, 1990 By Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot – Baseball News Network (BNN) and Gemmy Nay, Sacramento Sports Chronicle The Sacramento Prayers closed out the third week of June with a stretch that felt like a microcosm of their season: power when needed, pitching that veered from brilliant to bruised, a lineup reshuffled by injuries, and — at the center of it all — a club that keeps finding ways to win. Sacramento finished the week 5–2, pushed their AL West lead to a commanding margin, and watched two of their most important arms — Bernardo Andretti and Robby Larson — deliver signature performances that steadied the club at key moments. This was a week defined by travel, attrition, and the emergence of a new offensive spark in Francisco Hernandez, all culminating in Andretti’s Saturday masterpiece: a 1–0 shutout that reminded the league why Sacramento’s ace remains one of the most reliable pitchers of his era. It was a Shakespearean drama played out on diamonds of grass and dirt. We watched the Prayers extend their lead in the AL West to a comfortable 8.0 games, but the celebration in the clubhouse is tempered by a heavy silence. The victory parade has a prominent empty seat: Eli Murguia. The atmosphere in Sacramento right now is a strange cocktail of champagne and medicinal rubbing alcohol. On one hand, the Prayers are playing some of the most inspired, dominant baseball this city has ever seen. On the other, the sight of Eli Murguia being carried off the field in Milwaukee still haunts the faithful. We are 10 games over .500, yet the collective breath of the city is held tight. At 48-28, the Prayers are the first team in the American League to flirt with 50 wins, but the road ahead just got a lot steeper. ★ ★ ★ SUNDAY, JUNE 17 — DOUBLEHEADER IN MILWAUKEE Game 1: Sacramento 4, Milwaukee 3 A Heavy Price for a Win The Sunday doubleheader in Milwaukee began with a bang and ended with a heartbreak. Robby Larson, the three‑time Gold Glover whose season has been uneven at times, delivered one of his most composed outings of the year. He scattered four hits across 6.2 innings, and though Milwaukee clawed back late, Sacramento’s offense had already done its work. The early blow came from Emilio Musco, who launched a two‑run homer in the first — his 14th of the season — continuing a June power surge that has made him one of the league’s most dangerous shortstops. Alex Velasquez added a solo shot in the seventh, but the decisive swing belonged to George MacDonald, who opened the ninth with a towering solo homer to break a 3–3 tie. “If the effort is there, the wins will come,” Larson said afterward, a line that felt like a quiet mantra for a team grinding through injuries and travel. Sacramento improved to 43–27. However, the stadium went quiet in the 4th when Eli Murguia went down. The diagnosis is a fractured ankle; he’s out for four months. The win felt like a loss the moment he was helped off the field. Game 2: Sacramento 5, Milwaukee 3 (10 innings) Extra-Inning Resilience The nightcap proved this team has a short memory and a long heart. It was a different kind of fight — tighter, tenser, and ultimately decided by Sacramento’s depth. The Prayers made it a sweep of the day behind patience, power, and a late breakthrough in extras. Ricky Gaias battled through eight innings, allowing three runs but keeping the Prayers in striking distance. The offense finally broke through in the sixth on a two‑run MacDonald homer — his second of the day and ninth of the season. The contest stayed knotted until the tenth, when Hector Iniguez played the hero, slapping an RBI single that broke the Bishops' back. “Our team found a way to get it done,” Gaias said, and it was hard to argue. Chris Ryan earned the win with a scoreless ninth. Luis Prieto closed the door for his 21st save. Velasquez continued his strong week, going 4-for-5, while MacDonald finished with two hits and two RBI. Sacramento left Milwaukee 44–27, their division lead widening. ★ ★ ★ MONDAY, JUNE 18 — AT PHOENIX Sacramento 5, Phoenix 1 Andretti’s Masterclass The flight to Phoenix didn't cool down the bats. The Prayers carried momentum into the desert, riding the right arm of Bernardo Andretti to a crisp 5–1 victory. Andretti was in command from the first pitch. Working with a brisk tempo and a sharp fastball, he carved through the Phoenix lineup for 8.1 innings, allowing just one run and striking out two. His ERA dipped to 2.51. It was a clinical win that showcased why Andretti remains the ace of this staff. “I had pretty good command out there,” Andretti said. It was understated, but accurate. The offense gave him breathing room early: Francisco Hernandez homered in the first, Alex Vieyra and Hector Iniguez went back‑to‑back in the second, and Gil Cruz added a two‑out RBI in the sixth. Andretti improved to 9–2 on the season, and Chris Ryan finished it off. With the win Sacramento climbed to 45–27. ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, JUNE 19 — AT PHOENIX Sacramento 10, Phoenix 4 The Velasquez Variety Show This was the week’s offensive outburst. Sacramento hammered 12 hits, drew seven walks, and turned nearly every rally into damage. If anyone wondered who would step up in Murguia’s absence, Alex Velasquez provided a loud answer. Alex Velasquez — who has quietly been one of the club’s most improved hitters — drove in three, including a solo homer in the second and a bases-clearing double in the eighth. Francisco Hernandez added a two‑run blast, his 10th of the season, Musco reached base three times, and Hector Iniguez went 3-for-4. On the mound, Rafael Gray earned a much-needed win despite a rocky sixth, Aaron Gilbert closed it out for his first save, and the offense proved it could put up double digits even without their star left fielder. Manager Jimmy Aces liked the direction. “As well as we’ve been playing, I think we can play even better,” he said. Sacramento improved to 46–27. ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 — AT PHOENIX Phoenix 4, Sacramento 2 A Rare Speed Bump The lone blemish of the road trip came in a game where Sacramento simply couldn’t convert opportunities. They left 14 runners on base, including multiple innings with two men aboard. Francisco Hernandez did everything he could, going 2-for-4 with a two‑run homer and a stolen base, but even the best have off nights: Jordan Rubalcava pitched better than his line suggests (8 strikeouts over 7 innings), but Phoenix found holes in the defense, tagging him for 12 hits. Dorian Wood’s two‑run double in the first set the tone, and Sacramento never fully recovered. Francisco Hernandez accounted for all of Sacramento's offense with a two-run homer, but the bats otherwise went cold in the dry Arizona air. “Focus and intensity,” Wood said of Phoenix’s approach. Sacramento had both, but not the timely hit. The loss dropped the Prayers to 46–28. ★ ★ ★ FRIDAY, JUNE 22 — VS EL PASO Sacramento 14, El Paso 0 The Record-Breaker Back home, Sacramento unleashed its most dominant performance of the week. Returning home to Sacramento Stadium, the Prayers took out their frustrations on the lowly Abbots. This was the Alex Velasquez Game. The left fielder tied the AL record with five hits, including two home runs, a pair of singles, and a three‑run blast in the eighth that sent Sacramento Stadium into a roar. He finished with seven RBI, the best single‑game achievement of his career. It was a historic performance that brought the 22,000 fans to their feet. “Once you get ahead, it makes it a lot easier because you get a better pitch to hit.” Velasquez later explained his approach. “And you’re ready.” El Paso managed six hits but never mounted a threat, as Sacramento pitching kept the Abbots off the board throughout. Robby Larson cruised through 8 innings of shutout ball, a stat line that would be the lead story on any other night, and the Prayers rolled to their most lopsided win of the season. The win improved Sacramento's record to 47–28. ★ ★ ★ SATURDAY, JUNE 23 — VS EL PASO Sacramento 1, El Paso 0 Walking A Tightrope In a stark contrast to Friday's blowout, Saturday was a classic pitcher's duel. Bernardo Andretti was once again spectacular, throwing 8 shutout innings for his 10th win of the year. Bernardo Andretti’s second start of the week was even better than his first. He authored one of the Prayers’ sharpest performances of the season Saturday night, working eight scoreless innings as Sacramento edged the Abbots, 1–0, before 22,458 at Sacramento Stadium. Andretti allowed just four hits, walked two, and struck out seven, consistently working ahead in the count. The game’s lone run came in the bottom of the first inning, when Bret Perez scored on Francisco Hernandez’s sacrifice fly after an El Paso error extended the frame. “Bernardo was pounding the zone,” said manager Jimmy Aces. “That’s the kind of game that sets a tone.” El Paso starter John Bradford nearly matched him, allowing only two hits over eight innings. Sacramento’s defense backed Andretti by turning three double plays, erasing El Paso’s best chances. Luis Prieto closed it out with a clean ninth to earn his 22nd save in 23 opportunities. Andretti improved to 10–2 as the Prayers finished the week still in firm control of the division. It was a gritty, ugly, beautiful win, the kind of win that championship teams bank on: quiet, clinical, and anchored by an ace who knows exactly who he is. ★ ★ ★ WEEK IN CONTEXT Sacramento ends the week 48–28, holding the best record in the American League and an eight‑game cushion over Tucson. The rotation continues to be the backbone — Andretti and Larson combined for 23.2 innings and just one earned run this week — while the offense has found new life in Hernandez and Velasquez. Injuries remain a concern. Eli Murguia’s fractured ankle removes a key left‑handed bat for months, and the club will need to lean on Mansfield, Cardenas, and Hernandez to cover the outfield load. But the identity of this team is clear: deep, resilient, and increasingly confident. As MacDonald put it earlier in the week, “We’re finding ways. That’s what good teams do.” ★ ★ ★ FAN MAIL — QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW Dear Gemmy, Four months without Murguia? Are you kidding me? He’s the engine of the offense. Can Mansfield or Cardenas actually fill those shoes, or do we need to make another trade? — Anxious Al Gemmy: Al, it’s a massive blow. Murguia wasn't just hitting for power; he was the emotional heartbeat of that dugout. While Velasquez has been "The Man" this week, expecting him to hit like a Hall of Famer every night is a tall order. Mansfield is hitting well (.349), but he doesn't have the "fear factor" Murguia provides. Don't be surprised if the front office uses that cash they just got from Boston to look for a veteran rental before the deadline. Dear Gemmy, I saw we traded Willie Estrada. He was struggling, but why trade him to Boston? They’re right in the thick of the AL East race. Aren't we helping a potential playoff rival? — Skeptical Sarah Gemmy: Sarah, it’s a fair question. Estrada had a 6.75 ERA and was falling out of the rotation's circle of trust. Getting $230,000 and a 21-year-old lefty prospect like Oscar Salinas for a struggling reliever is good business. The cash is likely the key here — it gives Jimmy Aces flexibility to make a move for a bat to cover Murguia’s injury. Dear Gemmy, What’s the deal with the Estrada trade? Selling a lefty to Boston feels like we’re giving a loaded gun to a guy we might have to fight in October. Was the cash really worth it? — Trade-Wind Tony Gemmy: Tony, follow the money. That $230,000 isn't just for a new scoreboard. With the trade deadline looming and Murguia in a cast, the Prayers are building a war chest. Oscar Salinas is a long-term project, but that cash gives us the leverage to go out and rent a big-time bat if Velasquez ever cools off. It’s a gamble, but one Jimmy Aces had to take. Dear Gemmy, I love this team, but I’m worried about the middle infield. Musco is a god, but Iniguez seems to disappear for weeks at a time. With the Murguia injury, can we really rely on our defense to carry us if the bats go cold? — Sac-Town Stan Gemmy: Stan, I hear you. Hector Iniguez is like a desert rain — rare, but vital when he shows up. He had a great week in Phoenix, but consistency is his white whale. The real concern is that Murguia’s injury puts more pressure on the defense to be perfect because we can't just "out-slug" our mistakes anymore. That said, as long as Musco is patrolling short, our "up-the-middle" defense remains elite. ★ ★ ★ THE LEDGER: TRANSACTION & INJURY WRAP-UP The Trade: The Prayers sent LHP Willie Estrada to the Boston Messiahs for LHP Oscar Salinas and $230,000. It’s a classic "sell high on potential/buy low on performance" move. The move clears a roster logjam and adds a developmental arm to the system. Salinas is a project, but the financial injection is what matters for a team in a pennant race. The Infirmary: * Eli Murguia (LF): Fractured Ankle. Out until late October. This is a season-defining injury. * Fernando Salazar (P): Stress reaction in elbow. He is expected back in the next 48 hours. His return couldn't be more timely for a tired bullpen. * Gil Caliari (P): Shoulder. Still about 3 weeks away from returning to the active roster. ★ ★ ★ LEAGUE GOSSIP & STANDINGS [i] The Contract Cloud: Whispers from the front office suggest that contract talks with Edwin Musco have hit a "significant" lull. Musco is currently playing like an MVP candidate, and every home run he hits adds another zero to his asking price. With the Prayers sitting on a pile of cash from the Boston trade, the fans are starting to wonder: if we aren't spending it on an extension for the best shortstop in the league, what are we doing? * The AL West Race: Sacramento is pulling away. With an 8.0 game lead over Tucson, the Prayers have the luxury of weathering the Murguia injury. However, the Tucson Cherubs are coming to town for a massive three-game set starting Monday. This series could either end the race or blow it wide open. * AL East Heat: The AL East remains a bloodbath. The Columbus Heaven (45-32) hold a razor-thin half-game lead over the Boston Messiahs (44-32). Our trade of Willie Estrada to the Messiahs has already sparked "traitor" chants in Columbus. By sending Estrada to Boston, Sacramento might have inadvertently influenced the outcome of that division race. Meanwhile, in the National League, the Detroit Preachers are setting a blistering pace at 46-30. If the season ended today, a Prayers - Preachers "Holy War" World Series would be the talk of the country. ★ ★ ★ GEMMY’S TAKE "The loss of Murguia is the kind of event that tests the soul of a clubhouse. You can see the response already — Velasquez is playing like a man possessed, and Andretti is pitching with the cold efficiency of a late-night auditor. But the 1-0 win on Saturday is the most telling. This team can win when they're scoring 14, and they can win when they're scoring 1. That versatility is why they're 20 games over .500. Keep an eye on the Musco contract situation; if the Prayers don't lock him up soon, the Murguia injury might make him even more expensive as his leverage grows. I’ve been watching baseball a long time, and I’ve learned that teams usually react to a superstar’s injury in one of two ways: they either curl into a fetal position or they find a new hero. This week, Alex Velasquez didn’t just step up; he kicked the door down and demanded the spotlight. His five-hit performance against El Paso was the kind of "don't count us out" manifesto that defines championship seasons. But let’s be real for a second. Winning 1-0 games on two hits is a dangerous way to live. We are leaning heavily on Bernardo Andretti — who, at 10-2, is currently the frontrunner for the Cy Young — and a bullpen that is starting to show the wear and tear of a long June. The trade of Estrada for cash is a clear signal that the front office knows this roster is currently incomplete. The upcoming series against the Tucson Cherubs is the most important set of the year so far. If we sweep, the West is effectively over by the Fourth of July. If we get swept, the ghost of Eli Murguia is going to start feeling a lot heavier in that clubhouse. This team has the talent, they have the grit, and now they have the "Next Man Up" motivation. Let’s see if they have the stamina."