Pitchers Strike Out 14, Bakersfield Wins 6-4
Published on August 20, 2011 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze clubbed 2 homers in a 5-run 3rd inning, and the bullpen worked 5.2 solid innings as Bakersfield beat the Lake Elsinore Storm for the second straight night, 6-4.
This night, in stark contrast to last night, began somewhat poorly. The Blaze shot out to a quick lead in the series opener, but tonight it was the Storm that struck first. Nate Freiman smacked a 3-run opposite field homer in the 1st inning, and before the bobblehead-toting fans could unwrap their toys, the Storm led 3-zip. After that point, however, scoring became tough for Lake Elsinore.
Tim Crabbe began the night for Bakersfield, but walked 7 and could only go 3.1 frames. Mace Thurman (W, 5-3), however, came on with two on and one out in the 4th and pitched the Blaze out of the jam. After Thurman gave up 1 run in the 5th, the combination of Derrik Lutz, Chris Manno and Doug Salinas (S, 14) blasted through the final 4 innings, with Manno and Salinas combining to strike out 7. All told, Blaze pitchers fanned 14 Storm batters.
On the offensive side, the Blaze were held fairly quiet by Storm starter Jerry Sullivan (L, 6-9) in 4 of 5 innings, but not the 3rd. The Blaze sent 8 men to the plate, and a 2-run homer by Jorge Jimenez was one-upped by a 3-run jack for Stephen Hunt, and the Blaze took a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
With the win, the Blaze gain a game on the Stockton Ports in the chase for the Wild Card spot. The series continues tomorrow at 7:30pm when Matt Fairel opposes Mike Watt in a battle of southpaws. It's Oil Dig Night at Sam Lynn Ballpark, sponsored by Three-Way Chevrolet and Arco-AmPm, and the Blaze will be giving away over $2,300 in free gasoline! For those who cannot make it, the game will be broadcast live on local radio on Smart-Talk 1230AM and globally at BakersfieldBlaze.com, with Dan Besbris taking care of all the action.
California League Stories from August 20, 2011
- Giants Suffer Shutout Loss To High Desert - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Down 66ers on Friday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Pitchers Strike Out 14, Bakersfield Wins 6-4 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Reichard Pitches Giants to Series-Opening Win - San Jose Giants
- Inland Empire Can't Solve Patterson, Fall 7-2 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Ports Drop Second Straight to Lancaster - Stockton Ports
- Donovan and Castro Spark JetHawks Win - Lancaster JetHawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
