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liberty-ca · 02-01-2026, 06:26 PM

PRAYERS WEEKLY: JULY 15 – JULY 21, 1990
THUNDER IN THE DESERT AND HEARTBREAK IN THE BOROUGHS
Gemmy Nay (Sacramento Sports Chronicle) in collaboration with Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot (BNN)

The Sacramento Prayers continue to lead a charmed, if exhausting, existence. This week, the road trip shifted from the familiar haunts of Northern California to the sweltering humidity of El Paso and finally to the historic, pressure-packed confines of Brooklyn. It was a week defined by extreme highs — Bernardo Andretti’s surgical precision and Francisco Hernandez’s power — balanced against the crushing weight of extra-inning losses and a pitching staff starting to show the hairline fractures of a long season.

Off the field, the front office is busy securing the future. The Prayers made waves this week by officially signing 10th overall draft pick John Dasinger to a three-year major league contract worth nearly $200,000. It’s a bold statement for a team already leading their division by double digits: the championship window isn’t just open; they’re trying to build a cathedral around it.

★ ★ ★

Sunday, July 15 — at San Jose Demons

Sacramento 4, San Jose 3
Hernandez’s Two‑Homer Night Sparks Series Win

The Prayers edged San Jose 4–3 on Sunday night behind a thunderous performance from Francisco Hernandez, who blasted two solo shots and scored three times. His eighth‑inning homer off Danny Kidder broke a 3–3 tie and stood as the game‑winner.

Robby Larson battled through 6.2 innings, and the bullpen trio of Chris Ryan, Luis Prieto, and Steve Dodge locked it down. Gil Cruz added three hits, while Alejandro Lopez chipped in an RBI single.

Sacramento closed the series at 58–35, maintaining firm control of the West.

★ ★ ★

Monday, July 16 — at El Paso Abbots

El Paso 8, Sacramento 1
Abbots’ Fifth‑Inning Barrage Flattens Prayers

If Sunday was a dream, Monday in El Paso was a waking nightmare. The Abbots, sitting at the bottom of the standings, looked like world-beaters against Ricky Gaias. Gaias simply didn't have the command of his secondary pitches, and the El Paso hitters feasted. The Abbots launched four home runs, including a three-run blast by Jorge Martinez that effectively ended the contest in the fifth inning.

Sacramento’s bats, perhaps weary from travel, managed only four hits. It was a sterile, frustrating performance where the only sign of life was a lone RBI from H. Iniguez. In a long season, there are games you simply throw in the trash; this was the dumpster fire of the week.

Despite a clean relief outing from Alex Gilbert, the damage was already done as Sacramento fell to 58–36.

★ ★ ★

Tuesday, July 17 — at El Paso Abbots

Sacramento 6, El Paso 4
Hernandez and MacDonald Deliver in Tight Road Win

Desperate to avoid a "trap" series, the Prayers turned to Jordan Rubalcava to right the ship. He delivered 7.1 innings of gritty, three-run ball, navigating through 10 hits with the poise of a veteran. The star of the show, once again, was Francisco Hernandez. He followed up his two-homer performance from Sunday with a 3-for-4 night, proving he is currently in that rare "zone" where the baseball looks like a beach ball.

The game was decided in the seventh when George MacDonald stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. His sacrifice fly provided the insurance run that Steve Dodge needed to shut the door. Dodge, filling in for the ailing Prieto, looked comfortable in the high-leverage role, earning his third save of the season.

Francisco Hernandez reached base four times and Alejandro Lopez delivered a two-run single as Sacramento capitalized on El Paso defensive miscues.

“That’s a darn good win,” manager Jimmy Aces said.

Sacramento improved to 59–36, halting El Paso’s momentum.

★ ★ ★

Wednesday, July 18 — at El Paso Abbots

Sacramento 6, El Paso 0
Andretti Dominates Again in Masterful Shutout

This was the Bernardo Andretti show. On a night when the heat in El Paso was oppressive, Andretti was ice cold. He dismantled the Abbots’ lineup, surrendering just three hits over 7.1 innings of scoreless work. It was a masterclass in efficiency, as he struck out five and didn't allow a single Abbot to even contemplate crossing home plate.

The offense supported their ace with a balanced attack, highlighted by a towering two-run home run from Gil Cruz in the sixth. Even the new backstop, Rafael Alonzo, got in on the action with a two-run double in the eighth. By the time the final out was recorded, the Prayers had pushed their divisional lead to a commanding 10.5 games.

“Everyone was in sync,” Andretti said afterward.

The Prayers reached the 60‑win mark at 60–36.

★ ★ ★

Friday, July 20 — at Brooklyn Priests

Brooklyn 5, Sacramento 4 (12 innings)
Priests Walk Off After Sacramento’s Late Rally Falls Short

Crossing into the East Coast for a clash with the Priests, Sacramento found themselves embroiled in a 12-inning marathon that felt more like a playoff game than a July meeting. Fernando Salazar was brilliant, tossing eight innings of one-run ball and leaving the game with the lead.

But Brooklyn is a tough place to close a game. Steve Dodge, so reliable in El Paso, faltered in the ninth, allowing the Priests to tie it. George MacDonald tied the game in the 10th with a two-run double, and Sacramento had multiple chances to pull ahead, but stranded runners proved costly. Finally, in the 12th, Chris Gamble delivered a walk-off single against Matt Wright, sending the Brooklyn faithful into a frenzy and leaving the Prayers exhausted and empty-handed. Rafael Alonzo was a bright spot in the loss, racking up three hits and continuing to handle the staff with elite precision. Gil Cruz swiped his 10th base of the year.

Sacramento slipped to 60–37.

★ ★ ★

Saturday, July 21 — at Brooklyn Priests

Sacramento 9, Brooklyn 2
MacDonald’s Four‑RBI Outburst Fuels Blowout Response

The Prayers answered emphatically Saturday, pounding the Priests 9–2 behind a complete team effort. George MacDonald erupted for three hits and four RBI, including a towering three‑run homer in the ninth.

Alejandro Lopez added two RBI and two steals, while Robby Larson fired seven strong innings, allowing just two runs to earn his 10th win.

Sacramento closed the week at 61–37, still firmly atop the AL West.

★ ★ ★

LEAGUE-WIDE VIEW

As we approach the final third of the season, the hierarchy of the FBL is becoming clear. In the AL East, Columbus remains the team to beat at 59-40, though Boston is breathing down their necks just 2.5 games back. Our lead in the AL West stands at 11 games over a surging Fort Worth and a stagnant San Jose.

In the National League, the race in the East is a total deadlock. Detroit and Nashville are tied at 54 wins apiece, while Long Beach continues to dominate the West at 58-41. For the Prayers, the goal is simple: maintain the health of the rotation and keep an eye on these potential World Series opponents.

★ ★ ★

FAN MAIL — QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW

Dear Gemmy,
Watching the team sign John Dasinger to a major league deal is exciting, but is it fair to the guys in the clubhouse who have been grinding all year? $199k is a lot of money for a guy who hasn't seen a professional curveball yet.
— Union Man in Midtown

Gemmy: I hear you, but in the modern game, you pay for potential. Dasinger was the 10th overall pick for a reason. By giving him a major league deal now, the Prayers are ensuring he’s locked in and motivated to climb the ladder quickly. The veterans in the clubhouse know that winning is the best deodorant; if Dasinger helps this team in 1991 or 1992, nobody will be checking his bank account.

Dear Gemmy,
Is it time to worry about Luis Prieto? He’s been "day-to-day" twice in two weeks now. Do we need to trade for another arm before the deadline, or can Steve Dodge handle the ninth?
— Nervous in Natomas

Gemmy: Prieto’s shoulder is definitely the biggest story in Sacramento right now. The front office is being cautious, but "sore shoulder" is a phrase that keeps managers awake at night. Steve Dodge has been admirable, but he’s not a natural closer. If Prieto isn't 100% by the end of July, expect Jimmy Aces to be burning up the phone lines looking for bullpen depth.

★ ★ ★

PROJECTED STARTERS

Tue 7/24 vs Long Beach - R. Larson (10-4) vs L. Ramirez (6-2)
Wed 7/25 vs Long Beach - J. Rubalcava (10-6) vs J. Ayala (12-7)
Thu 7/26 vs Long Beach - B. Andretti (11-3) vs A. Villalobos (6-8)
Fri 7/27 vs Tucson - F. Salazar (0-1) vs M. Bradford (5-6)

★ ★ ★

GEMMY’S TAKE

This was one of those weeks where the Prayers didn’t look flashy, didn’t look invincible, and honestly didn’t look particularly interested in style points — and that’s kind of the point.

They lost games they’ve won before. They gave one away in Brooklyn that probably should’ve been theirs. They also showed up the next night and flattened the same team like nothing happened. That’s July baseball. That’s a team with a lead that knows it doesn’t need to sprint.

Andretti’s shutout was the quiet headliner — no drama, no nonsense, just get the ball and give it back seven innings later. Hernandez keeps doing Hernandez things. MacDonald keeps being the most “wait, how does he have four RBIs already?” guy in the lineup. And the bullpen? Wobbly in spots, sturdy where it mattered.

This didn’t feel like a statement week. It felt like a maintenance week. The Prayers checked the oil, rotated the tires, and kept the engine humming. That’s how teams with October plans behave in July — not loud, not desperate, just professional.

The Prayers are 12 games over .500 and the magic number is already shrinking. This week showed that even when they stumble — like the Gaias blowout or the 12-inning heartbreak in Brooklyn — they have the mental fortitude to bounce back and win the next day. Francisco Hernandez is playing the best baseball of his career, and the rotation remains the envy of the league. If they can survive the rest of this road trip without another major injury, the fans at the Cathedral can start drafting their October schedules.

02-01-2026, 06:26 PM	#194
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 331	PRAYERS WEEKLY: JULY 15 – JULY 21, 1990 THUNDER IN THE DESERT AND HEARTBREAK IN THE BOROUGHS Gemmy Nay (Sacramento Sports Chronicle) in collaboration with Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot (BNN) The Sacramento Prayers continue to lead a charmed, if exhausting, existence. This week, the road trip shifted from the familiar haunts of Northern California to the sweltering humidity of El Paso and finally to the historic, pressure-packed confines of Brooklyn. It was a week defined by extreme highs — Bernardo Andretti’s surgical precision and Francisco Hernandez’s power — balanced against the crushing weight of extra-inning losses and a pitching staff starting to show the hairline fractures of a long season. Off the field, the front office is busy securing the future. The Prayers made waves this week by officially signing 10th overall draft pick John Dasinger to a three-year major league contract worth nearly $200,000. It’s a bold statement for a team already leading their division by double digits: the championship window isn’t just open; they’re trying to build a cathedral around it. ★ ★ ★ Sunday, July 15 — at San Jose Demons Sacramento 4, San Jose 3 Hernandez’s Two‑Homer Night Sparks Series Win The Prayers edged San Jose 4–3 on Sunday night behind a thunderous performance from Francisco Hernandez, who blasted two solo shots and scored three times. His eighth‑inning homer off Danny Kidder broke a 3–3 tie and stood as the game‑winner. Robby Larson battled through 6.2 innings, and the bullpen trio of Chris Ryan, Luis Prieto, and Steve Dodge locked it down. Gil Cruz added three hits, while Alejandro Lopez chipped in an RBI single. Sacramento closed the series at 58–35, maintaining firm control of the West. ★ ★ ★ Monday, July 16 — at El Paso Abbots El Paso 8, Sacramento 1 Abbots’ Fifth‑Inning Barrage Flattens Prayers If Sunday was a dream, Monday in El Paso was a waking nightmare. The Abbots, sitting at the bottom of the standings, looked like world-beaters against Ricky Gaias. Gaias simply didn't have the command of his secondary pitches, and the El Paso hitters feasted. The Abbots launched four home runs, including a three-run blast by Jorge Martinez that effectively ended the contest in the fifth inning. Sacramento’s bats, perhaps weary from travel, managed only four hits. It was a sterile, frustrating performance where the only sign of life was a lone RBI from H. Iniguez. In a long season, there are games you simply throw in the trash; this was the dumpster fire of the week. Despite a clean relief outing from Alex Gilbert, the damage was already done as Sacramento fell to 58–36. ★ ★ ★ Tuesday, July 17 — at El Paso Abbots Sacramento 6, El Paso 4 Hernandez and MacDonald Deliver in Tight Road Win Desperate to avoid a "trap" series, the Prayers turned to Jordan Rubalcava to right the ship. He delivered 7.1 innings of gritty, three-run ball, navigating through 10 hits with the poise of a veteran. The star of the show, once again, was Francisco Hernandez. He followed up his two-homer performance from Sunday with a 3-for-4 night, proving he is currently in that rare "zone" where the baseball looks like a beach ball. The game was decided in the seventh when George MacDonald stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. His sacrifice fly provided the insurance run that Steve Dodge needed to shut the door. Dodge, filling in for the ailing Prieto, looked comfortable in the high-leverage role, earning his third save of the season. Francisco Hernandez reached base four times and Alejandro Lopez delivered a two-run single as Sacramento capitalized on El Paso defensive miscues. “That’s a darn good win,” manager Jimmy Aces said. Sacramento improved to 59–36, halting El Paso’s momentum. ★ ★ ★ Wednesday, July 18 — at El Paso Abbots Sacramento 6, El Paso 0 Andretti Dominates Again in Masterful Shutout This was the Bernardo Andretti show. On a night when the heat in El Paso was oppressive, Andretti was ice cold. He dismantled the Abbots’ lineup, surrendering just three hits over 7.1 innings of scoreless work. It was a masterclass in efficiency, as he struck out five and didn't allow a single Abbot to even contemplate crossing home plate. The offense supported their ace with a balanced attack, highlighted by a towering two-run home run from Gil Cruz in the sixth. Even the new backstop, Rafael Alonzo, got in on the action with a two-run double in the eighth. By the time the final out was recorded, the Prayers had pushed their divisional lead to a commanding 10.5 games. “Everyone was in sync,” Andretti said afterward. The Prayers reached the 60‑win mark at 60–36. ★ ★ ★ Friday, July 20 — at Brooklyn Priests Brooklyn 5, Sacramento 4 (12 innings) Priests Walk Off After Sacramento’s Late Rally Falls Short Crossing into the East Coast for a clash with the Priests, Sacramento found themselves embroiled in a 12-inning marathon that felt more like a playoff game than a July meeting. Fernando Salazar was brilliant, tossing eight innings of one-run ball and leaving the game with the lead. But Brooklyn is a tough place to close a game. Steve Dodge, so reliable in El Paso, faltered in the ninth, allowing the Priests to tie it. George MacDonald tied the game in the 10th with a two-run double, and Sacramento had multiple chances to pull ahead, but stranded runners proved costly. Finally, in the 12th, Chris Gamble delivered a walk-off single against Matt Wright, sending the Brooklyn faithful into a frenzy and leaving the Prayers exhausted and empty-handed. Rafael Alonzo was a bright spot in the loss, racking up three hits and continuing to handle the staff with elite precision. Gil Cruz swiped his 10th base of the year. Sacramento slipped to 60–37. ★ ★ ★ Saturday, July 21 — at Brooklyn Priests Sacramento 9, Brooklyn 2 MacDonald’s Four‑RBI Outburst Fuels Blowout Response The Prayers answered emphatically Saturday, pounding the Priests 9–2 behind a complete team effort. George MacDonald erupted for three hits and four RBI, including a towering three‑run homer in the ninth. Alejandro Lopez added two RBI and two steals, while Robby Larson fired seven strong innings, allowing just two runs to earn his 10th win. Sacramento closed the week at 61–37, still firmly atop the AL West. ★ ★ ★ LEAGUE-WIDE VIEW As we approach the final third of the season, the hierarchy of the FBL is becoming clear. In the AL East, Columbus remains the team to beat at 59-40, though Boston is breathing down their necks just 2.5 games back. Our lead in the AL West stands at 11 games over a surging Fort Worth and a stagnant San Jose. In the National League, the race in the East is a total deadlock. Detroit and Nashville are tied at 54 wins apiece, while Long Beach continues to dominate the West at 58-41. For the Prayers, the goal is simple: maintain the health of the rotation and keep an eye on these potential World Series opponents. ★ ★ ★ FAN MAIL — QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW Dear Gemmy, Watching the team sign John Dasinger to a major league deal is exciting, but is it fair to the guys in the clubhouse who have been grinding all year? $199k is a lot of money for a guy who hasn't seen a professional curveball yet. — Union Man in Midtown Gemmy: I hear you, but in the modern game, you pay for potential. Dasinger was the 10th overall pick for a reason. By giving him a major league deal now, the Prayers are ensuring he’s locked in and motivated to climb the ladder quickly. The veterans in the clubhouse know that winning is the best deodorant; if Dasinger helps this team in 1991 or 1992, nobody will be checking his bank account. Dear Gemmy, Is it time to worry about Luis Prieto? He’s been "day-to-day" twice in two weeks now. Do we need to trade for another arm before the deadline, or can Steve Dodge handle the ninth? — Nervous in Natomas Gemmy: Prieto’s shoulder is definitely the biggest story in Sacramento right now. The front office is being cautious, but "sore shoulder" is a phrase that keeps managers awake at night. Steve Dodge has been admirable, but he’s not a natural closer. If Prieto isn't 100% by the end of July, expect Jimmy Aces to be burning up the phone lines looking for bullpen depth. ★ ★ ★ PROJECTED STARTERS Tue 7/24 vs Long Beach - R. Larson (10-4) vs L. Ramirez (6-2) Wed 7/25 vs Long Beach - J. Rubalcava (10-6) vs J. Ayala (12-7) Thu 7/26 vs Long Beach - B. Andretti (11-3) vs A. Villalobos (6-8) Fri 7/27 vs Tucson - F. Salazar (0-1) vs M. Bradford (5-6) ★ ★ ★ GEMMY’S TAKE This was one of those weeks where the Prayers didn’t look flashy, didn’t look invincible, and honestly didn’t look particularly interested in style points — and that’s kind of the point. They lost games they’ve won before. They gave one away in Brooklyn that probably should’ve been theirs. They also showed up the next night and flattened the same team like nothing happened. That’s July baseball. That’s a team with a lead that knows it doesn’t need to sprint. Andretti’s shutout was the quiet headliner — no drama, no nonsense, just get the ball and give it back seven innings later. Hernandez keeps doing Hernandez things. MacDonald keeps being the most “wait, how does he have four RBIs already?” guy in the lineup. And the bullpen? Wobbly in spots, sturdy where it mattered. This didn’t feel like a statement week. It felt like a maintenance week. The Prayers checked the oil, rotated the tires, and kept the engine humming. That’s how teams with October plans behave in July — not loud, not desperate, just professional. The Prayers are 12 games over .500 and the magic number is already shrinking. This week showed that even when they stumble — like the Gaias blowout or the 12-inning heartbreak in Brooklyn — they have the mental fortitude to bounce back and win the next day. Francisco Hernandez is playing the best baseball of his career, and the rotation remains the envy of the league. If they can survive the rest of this road trip without another major injury, the fans at the Cathedral can start drafting their October schedules.