PRAYERS WEEKLY: JULY 1 – JULY 7, 1990
Musco detonates Columbus, Larson dominates Vegas, Cruz rescues the Fourth, and Sacramento closes the week with a statement shutout in Seattle
Gemmy Nay (Sacramento Sports Chronicle) in collaboration with Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot (BNN)
The Fourth of July may have passed, but the fireworks around the Sacramento Prayers are only just beginning. As the club traverses the grueling landscape of a Western road trip, the front office decided to ignite a metaphorical Roman candle of their own. The acquisition of Rafael Alonzo has sent shockwaves from the Central Valley to the shores of the Atlantic, signaling to the baseball world that Sacramento isn’t just looking for a seat at the table — they’re looking to clear the room.
While the new general behind the plate prepares to don the White, green and gold, the men on the field have been engaged in a brutal stretch of baseball that has tested their mettle, their depth, and their heart. From the hallowed grounds of Columbus to the neon lights of Las Vegas and the misty air of Seattle, the Prayers are proving that even when they bleed, they are the most dangerous team in the American League.
★ ★ ★
THE BREAKING WIRE: THE ALONZO ARCHITECTURE
Before we dive into the dirt and grass of the past week, we must address the seismic shift in the roster. The trade for Rafael Alonzo is more than a talent upgrade; it is a financial and strategic masterpiece. By sending Keisuke Ishibashi, Ramon Mayorga, and Moises Argueta to Philadelphia, Sacramento parted with "tomorrow" to secure "today."
The Padres’ willingness to retain a significant portion of Alonzo’s contract is the "Estrada Cash" miracle of the season. It allows the Prayers to bring in an elite defensive specialist — a man whose 80-grade pitch-framing and 65-grade arm are the stuff of nightmares for opposing base-runners — without handicapping their ability to make further moves. With two additional draft picks (a 2nd and a 5th) tucked into the deal, Sacramento has managed to bolster their present while cushioning the blow to their future. Highly popular around the league among the players and fans alike, Alonzo is expected to take over the primary catching duties immediately, bringing a veteran presence to a clubhouse that is already smelling a championship.
★ ★ ★
Sunday, July 1 — at Columbus Heaven
Sacramento 7, Columbus 1
Musco’s Grand Slam Silences Columbus
The Prayers opened the week with authority, riding a thunderous seventh inning to a convincing 7–1 win over the Columbus Heaven. The road trip began with a statement of dominance against the AL East-leading Columbus Heaven.
In a battle of titans, it was Sacramento’s Edwin Musco who reminded the world why he wore the home run crown in '89. With the game poised at a tense 1-1 in the seventh, he stepped into a Mike Bryer offering and launched a grand slam — his 15th home run of the season — that silenced the Columbus faithful, turning a narrow lead into a rout. Edwin Musco finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs. The Prayers also got timely power earlier, with solo home runs from Gil Cruz and Alex Velasquez in the sixth inning.
On the mound, right-hander Rene Gaias steadied himself after surrendering a leadoff homer to Matt Troyer, and navigated five walks with the poise of a seasoned navigator. The bullpen of Mike Wright and Ron Gray closed the door without incident. The 7-1 victory was a clinical exhibition of how the Prayers can turn a close game into a rout in the blink of an eye.
“Enjoyed this one,” Musco told the Sacramento Sports Chronicle. “But it’s back to work tomorrow.”
★ ★ ★
Monday, July 2 — at Las Vegas Blessed
Sacramento 2, Las Vegas 1
Larson Outduels Vegas in a Road Nail‑Biter
As the team moved to Las Vegas a night after the bats roared, the Prayers won with finesse and pitching, edging Blessed 2–1 behind a crisp performance from Robby Larson. Larson, the Victorville native, treated the Blessed hitters like tourists at a rigged blackjack table. The right-hander worked eight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits on 87 pitches and surrendering a single unearned run.
The offense was sparse but timely. Sacramento scratched out an early run in the first and added another in the third when catcher
Alberto Vieyra launched a solo home run that gave the Prayers a lead they would never relinquish. That proved enough, though the defense made things interesting late, committing three errors behind Larson. Manager Jimmy Aces turned to Luis Prieto in the ninth, and despite inherited runners, the closer slammed the door in the ninth for his 23rd save, securing a 2-1 victory that felt far more dominant than the score suggested.
“Robby made the big pitches when he needed to,” Aces said.
★ ★ ★
Tuesday, July 3 — at Las Vegas Blessed
Las Vegas 3, Sacramento 2
Heartbreak in the Desert
Every marathon has its stumbles, and Tuesday night was a rare lapse for the Prayers' defense. The middle game of the series slipped away despite strong pitching from Danny St. Clair, who went 7⅔ innings and allowed just three runs. Sacramento managed nine hits but stranded runners throughout the night. Despite a valiant effort from Danny St. Clair, the Prayers couldn't overcome a trio of defensive miscues. A sixth-inning triple by Aaron Finch proved to be the dagger, as the Blessed managed to scrape together a 3-2 win.
The Blessed bullpen was sharp late, with Phil Kennedy recording his 22nd save. Sacramento’s bats showed life — A. Lopez and H. Iniguez both went deep — but they couldn't find the clutch hit with runners in scoring position, leaving seven men stranded in a game that was there for the taking. Sacramento finished the night 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, a missed opportunity in a game decided by a single run.
“We faced good pitching and still got it done,” Finch said afterward. As for Sacramento — a tough loss, but not a discouraging one.
★ ★ ★
Wednesday, July 4 — at Las Vegas Blessed
Sacramento 5, Las Vegas 3
Cruz Fireworks in the Ninth
On the birthday of the nation, Gil Cruz decided to provide the pyrotechnics. Entering the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, Cruz single-handedly rewrote the script. With the Prayers down 3–1 entering the eighth, the team clawed back to tie it. First, MacDonald tied the game with a solo homer, and then it was Cruz’s massive two-run shot in the ninth off Phil Kennedy that truly sparked the celebration. Cruz finished with two hits in two at-bats.
“I felt good up there,” Cruz said. “I saw the ball well.”
Starter Brian Andretti gave Sacramento 5⅔ solid innings, and Ron Gray earned the win in relief. The 5-3 comeback win showcased the depth of Jimmy Aces’ bench. When the stars were held in check by Las Vegas starter Brian Strickler, the "next man up" philosophy took over. Luis Prieto notched his 24th save, ensuring the Prayers left Vegas with a series victory and their heads held high.
★ ★ ★
Friday, July 6 — at Seattle Lucifers
Seattle 5, Sacramento 0
Gaytan Shuts Sacramento Out
The trip to Seattle started with a cold shower. Lucifers’ starter Edwin Gaytan was untouchable, baffling the Sacramento lineup for 8.1 innings of six-hit ball. Seattle struck early, added later some insurance runs, and a late homer by Joey Romero sealed the outcome. The Prayers simply couldn't find a rhythm, falling 5-0 in a game where J. Rubalcava pitched better than his line suggested, but was ultimately victimized by control issues and a lack of run support. Sacramento left six men on base and grounded into costly double plays, never recovering momentum.
“We had a good game plan,” Gaytan said. “And we were able to execute it.”
It was a reminder that even the league's best can be humbled on any given Friday night.
★ ★ ★
Saturday, July 7 — at Seattle Lucifers
Sacramento 8, Seattle 0
Larson's Revenge; Offense Unloads
Sacramento responded emphatically.
If the Lucifers thought they had found a blueprint to beat Sacramento, Robby Larson tore it up on Saturday. Returning to the mound on short rest, Larson was once again spectacular, tossing seven shutout innings. This time, the bats woke up with a vengeance. The week closed on a dominant note as Robby Larson authored one of his sharpest outings of the season, blanking Seattle in an 8–0 shutout. Larson scattered five hits, working efficiently and keeping the Lucifers off balance all night.
The offense gave him plenty of support, scoring in six different innings. Sacramento exploded for eight runs, highlighted by home runs from Gil Cruz (his 10th) and G. MacDonald (his 12th). Sacramento piled up ten hits and five walks, steadily wearing down Seattle pitching. Aaron Gilbert navigated late traffic calmly, stranding runners in the ninth to complete the shutout and give Sacramento a strong finish to the road trip. The 8-0 laugher was the perfect response to the previous night’s shutout, re-establishing the Prayers' 10-game lead in the AL West and proving that this team doesn't stay down for long.
★ ★ ★
Players of the Week (Sacramento)- Pitching MVP: Robby Larson — 2 starts, 2 wins, 15 IP, 0 ER — a near‑perfect week.
- Offensive MVP: Edwin Musco — Grand slam, 7 RBI, and steady production throughout.
★ ★ ★
LEAGUE-WIDE LEDGER: NEWS FROM THE FRONT
While we focus on our Prayers, the rest of the baseball world continues to spin. In the
AL East, the Columbus Heaven (54-35) maintain a 3.5-game lead over the surging Boston Messiahs. Over in the National League, the Nashville Angels (52-36) are holding off a fierce challenge from the Detroit Preachers in the East, while the Long Beach Diablos (53-36) sit atop the West, four games clear of our recent victims, the Las Vegas Blessed.
Across the league, the trade for Alonzo has been the primary topic of conversation. Many executives believe Philadelphia’s move to retain salary is a harbinger of more "salary-relief" trades as the deadline approaches.
★ ★ ★
FAN MAIL — QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW
Dear Gemmy,
I’m thrilled about Alonzo! But I’m worried about our internal chemistry. Rubbi and Vieyra have been grinding all year. Does bringing in a "superstar" catcher mid-season mess with the vibe in the clubhouse?
— Concerned in Curtis Park
Gemmy: Curtis, don't you worry about the "vibe." Winning is the ultimate deodorant. Alonzo is known as a "mild-mannered" professional. He’s not coming in to take over the locker room; he’s coming in to help our pitchers win Cy Youngs. Rubbi and Vieyra are pros — they know that if Alonzo's framing gets us three extra strikes a game, everyone’s job gets easier.
Dear Gemmy,
Robby Larson is a machine! Two wins on one road trip? Is there any chance he’s the frontrunner for the AL Pitcher of the Year?
— Larson Loyalist
Gemmy: Loyalist, if the vote were held today, you’d have to build him a statue. Larson’s ability to provide length and efficiency (87 pitches for 8 innings in Vegas!) is saving this bullpen while Gil Caliari is on the shelf. He is the stabilizing force this rotation needs to bridge the gap to the playoffs.
★ ★ ★
GEMMY’S TAKE
We are witnessing something special, Sacramento. This road trip could have been a disaster given the injuries to Murguia and Perez, but instead, the Prayers are 56-32 and sitting on a double-digit lead in the division.
The move for Rafael Alonzo is the "all-in" moment we’ve been waiting for. It’s a message from the owners to the players:
We believe in you. And with the way Robby Larson is throwing and Gil Cruz is coming off the bench with late-inning lightning, there’s every reason to believe.
Enjoy the ride, Sacramento. The heat is rising, the lead is growing, and we’ve got a new sheriff behind the plate.