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liberty-ca · 02-04-2026, 01:42 PM

PRAYERS WEEKLY: AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 1990
CHASING GLORY: PRAYERS PUSH MAGIC NUMBER TO 18
Gemmy Nay (Sacramento Sports Chronicle) in collaboration with Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot (BNN)

The Sacramento Prayers (84-45) spent the last week carving through the American League like a team possessed. With a 5-1 stretch that saw them dismantle Baltimore and sweep the Albuquerque Damned, the Prayers have expanded their divisional lead to a staggering 15.5 games. While a mid-week shutout in Seattle reminded the faithful that this team is indeed mortal, Saturday’s offensive explosion — led by a monstrous performance from Edwin Musco — has the city of Sacramento checking the calendar for parade dates.

The "Magic Number" now sits at 18. With 33 games left to play, the question is no longer "if" the Prayers will win the West, but "when."

★ ★ ★

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 — vs. Baltimore

Prayers 7, Satans 1
Salazar’s Sunday Service

Fernando Salazar took the mound at Sacramento Stadium and delivered a sermon on efficiency. In a complete-game masterpiece, Salazar allowed just one run on four hits over 9.0 innings. The bats provided plenty of collection-plate offerings, with Alex Velasquez and Francisco Hernandez both leaving the yard, as Sacramento closed the Baltimore series with authority.

Alex Velasquez opened the scoring with a solo blast in the 4th, Francisco Hernandez added another in the 7th, and Andy Hamilton reached base four times while scoring twice. Rafael Alonzo chipped in a pair of RBI as the Prayers cruised to their 80th win.

"Whenever we hold the other team to one run," Manager Jimmy Aces noted with his signature dry wit, "I like our chances."

★ ★ ★

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 — at Albuquerque

Prayers 5, Damned 1
The Desert Siege

Opening a series in Albuquerque, Robby Larson continued his stellar season by stifling the Damned for seven innings and allowing just one run while scattering five hits to earn his 13th victory. Sacramento’s offense came in waves. The game was a tense 1-1 affair until the 7th, when Hector Iniguez launched a solo shot that seemed to deflate the home crowd. Edwin Musco added a solo shot in the 8th, and Rafael Alonzo capped the night with a two‑run homer in the 9th to turn a nail-biter into a comfortable 5-1 victory.

“It’s nice to step up when your team needs you,” Iniguez said.

The Prayers improved to 81–44 behind a balanced, patient offensive approach.

★ ★ ★

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 — at Albuquerque

Prayers 4, Damned 2
Rubalcava’s Resilience

Jordan Rubalcava went eight innings and allowed only two runs as Sacramento secured the series in Albuquerque. Rubalcava struck out six and walked one, improving to 14–9. Sacramento did all its scoring in the first two innings — a Musco RBI single in the 1st, then a costly Albuquerque error in the 2nd inning allowed Sacramento to plate two unearned runs, which was all the breathing room "Pluto" needed. The Damned never mounted a serious threat. Luis Prieto worked a clean ninth for his 33rd save. He fanned six and walked only one for his 33rd save, proving why he is the current ERA leader in the AL.

“I really like what we did out there today,” Andy Hamilton said.

★ ★ ★

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 — at Albuquerque

Prayers 4, Damned 0
Andretti’s Near-Perfect Night

The series finale in Albuquerque was the Bernardo Andretti show. The 1987 Cy Young winner was untouchable, carrying a shutout into the 9th inning. He was lifted with two outs in the final frame after allowing just three hits over 8.2 innings and lowering his ERA to 2.21. The 4-0 win moved Andretti to a staggering 17-3 on the season.

“Bernardo had good arm action, good stuff,” Aces said.

George MacDonald provided the thump with a 2-RBI single to support the ace. Andy Hamilton led the offense with a 4‑hit night, including a double, while Edwin Musco and Alex Torres each drove in runs.
Sacramento completed the sweep in Albuquerque, pushing the club to 83–44.

★ ★ ★

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 — at SEATTLE

Lucifers 5, Prayers 0
The Emerald Silence

All win streaks must end, and Seattle’s Ricky Serrano made sure this one ended with a thud. Serrano threw a complete-game 3-hit shutout, leaving the Prayers’ bats looking lost in the Pacific Northwest mist. Sacramento never solved his mix of cutters and changeups, and a pair of early homers by Seattle’s Gus Arispe put the Prayers in a hole they couldn’t climb out of. Fernando Salazar, returning to the mound on shorter rest, struggled and took the loss despite working eight innings.

“It was frustrating against Serrano today,” Aces said.

It was Sacramento’s first shutout loss since early June.

★ ★ ★

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 — at SEATTLE

Prayers 11, Lucifers 4
Musco’s Grand Statement

Sacramento responded emphatically the next day. Edwin Musco put on an MVP clinic, crossing home plate 3 times and going 4-for-5 with 5 RBIs, punctuated by a towering 8th-inning Grand Slam that turned a competitive game into a rout. Alex Velasquez went 3 for 4 with a two-run double and Rafael Alonzo doubled twice.

Aaron Gilbert battled through 5.1 innings for the win, and Russ Gray shut Seattle down over the final 3.2.

“Trying isn’t good enough in this league,” Velasquez said. “You’ve got to get results.”

★ ★ ★

WEEK IN REVIEW

Sacramento finished the week 84–45, maintaining a commanding 15½-game lead in the AL West. The Prayers are now 8–2 over their last 10, with the league’s top run prevention continuing to set the tone.

Pitchers of the Week

- Bernardo Andretti: 8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R (W)
- Fernando Salazar: 9 IP CG, 4 H, 1 R (W)
- Jordan Rubalcava: 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R (W)

Hitters of the Week

- Edwin Musco: 10-for-23 (.435), HR, 7 RBI
- Alex Velasquez: 7-for-17 (.412), HR, 4 RBI
- Andy Hamilton: 10-for-24 (.417), 5 R, 3 SB

The Prayers continue to pace the league with dominant pitching and a lineup that can explode at any moment.

★ ★ ★

LEAGUE-WIDE NEWS & INFO

* The Beast in the East: The Boston Messiahs (76-53) have finally gained a full game of separation over the Columbus Heaven. The two titans are headed for a collision course that might decide the top seed in the AL.
* National League Chaos: The NL East remains the most volatile sector in professional baseball. Detroit (74-55) holds a razor-thin 1.0 game lead over Nashville, with Charlotte just a half-game behind them. Every night in the NL East is essentially a playoff game.
* The "Damned" Record: After being swept by Sacramento, Albuquerque has fallen 23 games out of first in the NL West. The "Damned" are currently fighting for the dubious honor of the worst record in baseball against the El Paso Abbots.

★ ★ ★

PRAYERS WEEKLY: QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW

Q: Is Edwin Musco the runaway MVP at this point?
— Downtown Dave
A: If the season ended today, he’d have to be the favorite. With 23 HRs, 89 RBIs, and a .296 average while playing elite defense at shortstop, he is the engine of this 84-win team. If he hits the 30/100 mark, the trophy is his.

Q: Can we get an honest opinion on the shortstop situation? Musco is great, but he has 17 errors. Is that going to haunt us?
— Nervous in Natomas
A: You take the lightning with the thunder. Yes, 17 errors is enough to make a defensive purist weep, but Musco’s range and his ability to turn the double play (like he did twice in the Seattle win) still make him a net positive. Plus, when you’re driving in 89 runs from the 6-spot, the fans will forgive a bobbled grounder or two. Just don’t do it in the 9th inning of a tie game in the playoffs, Edwin.

Q: Why did Jimmy Aces pull Andretti with one out to go in Albuquerque? Let the man finish his shutout!
— Frustrated in Fair Oaks
A: We hear you, Dave. But remember, Andretti is 17-3 and has a lot of miles on that arm. Aces is thinking about October. That extra out wasn't worth the risk of a late-inning strain. Chris Ryan got the final out, and Andretti got the win. Everyone goes home happy.

Q: We head to El Paso next. Should we expect another sweep?
— Optimistic in Orangevale
A: The Abbots (47-83) are statistically the weakest team in the league. However, El Paso is a "trap" city. If the Prayers overlook them while thinking about the Washington Devils series, they could drop a game. But given the way Musco and Velasquez are swinging, a sweep is certainly the expectation.

★ ★ ★

GEMMY’S TAKE: THE DANGER OF THE "GHOST" ROTATION

Let’s be real for a second. We are sitting 15.5 games up. The Magic Number is 18. The city is already picking out which suit to wear to the victory parade. But have you looked at the eyes of Jordan Rubalcava or Bernardo Andretti lately? Those aren't the eyes of championship-caliber thoroughbreds; those are the eyes of men who have been asked to carry the weight of the entire Central Valley on their shoulders without a day off since April.

Manager Jimmy Aces is playing a dangerous game of "Starter Chicken." He’s riding his aces into battle against teams like Albuquerque and Baltimore. Why? To win by five runs instead of three?

If we arrive at the ALDS with a rotation that has nothing left in the tank, all these regular-season accolades will be nothing more than expensive wallpaper. My take? Shut them down. Give Aaron Gilbert and Russ Gray the ball for the next two weeks. Let the "Iron Men" rust a little on the bench so they can be steel in October. Winning 100 games doesn't matter if you lose the four that count.

02-04-2026, 01:42 PM	#200
liberty-ca Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: New Westminster, BC Posts: 331	PRAYERS WEEKLY: AUGUST 12 – AUGUST 18, 1990 CHASING GLORY: PRAYERS PUSH MAGIC NUMBER TO 18 Gemmy Nay (Sacramento Sports Chronicle) in collaboration with Chad G. Petey and C.O. Pilot (BNN) The Sacramento Prayers (84-45) spent the last week carving through the American League like a team possessed. With a 5-1 stretch that saw them dismantle Baltimore and sweep the Albuquerque Damned, the Prayers have expanded their divisional lead to a staggering 15.5 games. While a mid-week shutout in Seattle reminded the faithful that this team is indeed mortal, Saturday’s offensive explosion — led by a monstrous performance from Edwin Musco — has the city of Sacramento checking the calendar for parade dates. The "Magic Number" now sits at 18. With 33 games left to play, the question is no longer "if" the Prayers will win the West, but "when." ★ ★ ★ SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 — vs. Baltimore Prayers 7, Satans 1 Salazar’s Sunday Service Fernando Salazar took the mound at Sacramento Stadium and delivered a sermon on efficiency. In a complete-game masterpiece, Salazar allowed just one run on four hits over 9.0 innings. The bats provided plenty of collection-plate offerings, with Alex Velasquez and Francisco Hernandez both leaving the yard, as Sacramento closed the Baltimore series with authority. Alex Velasquez opened the scoring with a solo blast in the 4th, Francisco Hernandez added another in the 7th, and Andy Hamilton reached base four times while scoring twice. Rafael Alonzo chipped in a pair of RBI as the Prayers cruised to their 80th win. "Whenever we hold the other team to one run," Manager Jimmy Aces noted with his signature dry wit, "I like our chances." ★ ★ ★ TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 — at Albuquerque Prayers 5, Damned 1 The Desert Siege Opening a series in Albuquerque, Robby Larson continued his stellar season by stifling the Damned for seven innings and allowing just one run while scattering five hits to earn his 13th victory. Sacramento’s offense came in waves. The game was a tense 1-1 affair until the 7th, when Hector Iniguez launched a solo shot that seemed to deflate the home crowd. Edwin Musco added a solo shot in the 8th, and Rafael Alonzo capped the night with a two‑run homer in the 9th to turn a nail-biter into a comfortable 5-1 victory. “It’s nice to step up when your team needs you,” Iniguez said. The Prayers improved to 81–44 behind a balanced, patient offensive approach. ★ ★ ★ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 — at Albuquerque Prayers 4, Damned 2 Rubalcava’s Resilience Jordan Rubalcava went eight innings and allowed only two runs as Sacramento secured the series in Albuquerque. Rubalcava struck out six and walked one, improving to 14–9. Sacramento did all its scoring in the first two innings — a Musco RBI single in the 1st, then a costly Albuquerque error in the 2nd inning allowed Sacramento to plate two unearned runs, which was all the breathing room "Pluto" needed. The Damned never mounted a serious threat. Luis Prieto worked a clean ninth for his 33rd save. He fanned six and walked only one for his 33rd save, proving why he is the current ERA leader in the AL. “I really like what we did out there today,” Andy Hamilton said. ★ ★ ★ THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 — at Albuquerque Prayers 4, Damned 0 Andretti’s Near-Perfect Night The series finale in Albuquerque was the Bernardo Andretti show. The 1987 Cy Young winner was untouchable, carrying a shutout into the 9th inning. He was lifted with two outs in the final frame after allowing just three hits over 8.2 innings and lowering his ERA to 2.21. The 4-0 win moved Andretti to a staggering 17-3 on the season. “Bernardo had good arm action, good stuff,” Aces said. George MacDonald provided the thump with a 2-RBI single to support the ace. Andy Hamilton led the offense with a 4‑hit night, including a double, while Edwin Musco and Alex Torres each drove in runs. Sacramento completed the sweep in Albuquerque, pushing the club to 83–44. ★ ★ ★ FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 — at SEATTLE Lucifers 5, Prayers 0 The Emerald Silence All win streaks must end, and Seattle’s Ricky Serrano made sure this one ended with a thud. Serrano threw a complete-game 3-hit shutout, leaving the Prayers’ bats looking lost in the Pacific Northwest mist. Sacramento never solved his mix of cutters and changeups, and a pair of early homers by Seattle’s Gus Arispe put the Prayers in a hole they couldn’t climb out of. Fernando Salazar, returning to the mound on shorter rest, struggled and took the loss despite working eight innings. “It was frustrating against Serrano today,” Aces said. It was Sacramento’s first shutout loss since early June. ★ ★ ★ SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 — at SEATTLE Prayers 11, Lucifers 4 Musco’s Grand Statement Sacramento responded emphatically the next day. Edwin Musco put on an MVP clinic, crossing home plate 3 times and going 4-for-5 with 5 RBIs, punctuated by a towering 8th-inning Grand Slam that turned a competitive game into a rout. Alex Velasquez went 3 for 4 with a two-run double and Rafael Alonzo doubled twice. Aaron Gilbert battled through 5.1 innings for the win, and Russ Gray shut Seattle down over the final 3.2. “Trying isn’t good enough in this league,” Velasquez said. “You’ve got to get results.” ★ ★ ★ WEEK IN REVIEW Sacramento finished the week 84–45, maintaining a commanding 15½-game lead in the AL West. The Prayers are now 8–2 over their last 10, with the league’s top run prevention continuing to set the tone. Pitchers of the Week - Bernardo Andretti: 8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R (W) - Fernando Salazar: 9 IP CG, 4 H, 1 R (W) - Jordan Rubalcava: 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R (W) Hitters of the Week - Edwin Musco: 10-for-23 (.435), HR, 7 RBI - Alex Velasquez: 7-for-17 (.412), HR, 4 RBI - Andy Hamilton: 10-for-24 (.417), 5 R, 3 SB The Prayers continue to pace the league with dominant pitching and a lineup that can explode at any moment. ★ ★ ★ LEAGUE-WIDE NEWS & INFO * The Beast in the East: The Boston Messiahs (76-53) have finally gained a full game of separation over the Columbus Heaven. The two titans are headed for a collision course that might decide the top seed in the AL. * National League Chaos: The NL East remains the most volatile sector in professional baseball. Detroit (74-55) holds a razor-thin 1.0 game lead over Nashville, with Charlotte just a half-game behind them. Every night in the NL East is essentially a playoff game. * The "Damned" Record: After being swept by Sacramento, Albuquerque has fallen 23 games out of first in the NL West. The "Damned" are currently fighting for the dubious honor of the worst record in baseball against the El Paso Abbots. ★ ★ ★ PRAYERS WEEKLY: QUESTIONS FROM THE FRONT PEW Q: Is Edwin Musco the runaway MVP at this point? — Downtown Dave A: If the season ended today, he’d have to be the favorite. With 23 HRs, 89 RBIs, and a .296 average while playing elite defense at shortstop, he is the engine of this 84-win team. If he hits the 30/100 mark, the trophy is his. Q: Can we get an honest opinion on the shortstop situation? Musco is great, but he has 17 errors. Is that going to haunt us? — Nervous in Natomas A: You take the lightning with the thunder. Yes, 17 errors is enough to make a defensive purist weep, but Musco’s range and his ability to turn the double play (like he did twice in the Seattle win) still make him a net positive. Plus, when you’re driving in 89 runs from the 6-spot, the fans will forgive a bobbled grounder or two. Just don’t do it in the 9th inning of a tie game in the playoffs, Edwin. Q: Why did Jimmy Aces pull Andretti with one out to go in Albuquerque? Let the man finish his shutout! — Frustrated in Fair Oaks A: We hear you, Dave. But remember, Andretti is 17-3 and has a lot of miles on that arm. Aces is thinking about October. That extra out wasn't worth the risk of a late-inning strain. Chris Ryan got the final out, and Andretti got the win. Everyone goes home happy. Q: We head to El Paso next. Should we expect another sweep? — Optimistic in Orangevale A: The Abbots (47-83) are statistically the weakest team in the league. However, El Paso is a "trap" city. If the Prayers overlook them while thinking about the Washington Devils series, they could drop a game. But given the way Musco and Velasquez are swinging, a sweep is certainly the expectation. ★ ★ ★ GEMMY’S TAKE: THE DANGER OF THE "GHOST" ROTATION Let’s be real for a second. We are sitting 15.5 games up. The Magic Number is 18. The city is already picking out which suit to wear to the victory parade. But have you looked at the eyes of Jordan Rubalcava or Bernardo Andretti lately? Those aren't the eyes of championship-caliber thoroughbreds; those are the eyes of men who have been asked to carry the weight of the entire Central Valley on their shoulders without a day off since April. Manager Jimmy Aces is playing a dangerous game of "Starter Chicken." He’s riding his aces into battle against teams like Albuquerque and Baltimore. Why? To win by five runs instead of three? If we arrive at the ALDS with a rotation that has nothing left in the tank, all these regular-season accolades will be nothing more than expensive wallpaper. My take? Shut them down. Give Aaron Gilbert and Russ Gray the ball for the next two weeks. Let the "Iron Men" rust a little on the bench so they can be steel in October. Winning 100 games doesn't matter if you lose the four that count.