Heartbreak in Bako, Blaze Lose 9-7 to Ports
Published on July 28, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In arguably the most difficult game to recap in the 2012 season, the Bakersfield Blaze allowed two unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning, and the Stockton Ports graciously accepted the pair of gifts en route to a 9-7 victory on Fireworks Friday at Sam Lynn Ballpark in Bakersfield.
The game, in all, featured three ties and six lead changes, and was, for eight innings, a remarkable display by both teams of grit and effort.
The Ports scored first, with Michael Gilmartin slugging his 7th homer of the season, a 2-run shot in the top of the 3rd off Blaze starter Tim Crabbe. The lead did not last long.
In the bottom of the 4th, the Blaze got one back on a Steve Selsky solo homer, and in the bottom of the 5th, the Blaze took advantage of a walk, single and error off Ports starter Nate Long, then a series of walks and RBI putouts off first reliever Jeff Urlaub to grab a 4-2 lead.
Tim Crabbe was lifted after 5.0 innings, having hit his pitch count, and Daniel Wolford retired the first two batters in the 6th before a Josh Whitaker double and Mitch LeVier homer knotted the game at 4.
One inning later, in the 7th, Jamie Walczak was summoned, and Tony Thompson took Walczak deep for a solo shot, and the Ports led 5-4 on their third homer of the night. But, like every lead before, this one evaporated quickly. In the bottom of the inning, Bakersfield loaded the bases, and big Juan Duran rolled a 2-run double over the third base bag, putting Bakersfield back on top, 6-5.
But Mitch LeVier struck again. With 2 outs in the 8th, Walczak issued a walk to Josh Whitaker before LeVier's second 2-run shot of the night, and Stockton's 4th longball, putting the Ports back on top, 7-6.
In the home half, Bakersfield had one more bullet. Two singles off A.J. Huttenlocker (W, 1-1) and a passed ball brought the Blaze back to a tie, but a flyball to left ended the inning with the go-ahead run at second.
And then, the ninth. Blaine Howell (L, 0-1) was summoned, and promptly walked the leadoff man. One out later, Chad Oberacker smacked a double to right, putting the go-ahead man at third with one out. The Blaze brought the infield in, and a grounder to second allowed Bakersfield to get an out at the plate. It looked like the Blaze might escape. B.A. Vollmuth cracked his bat on a 2-1 pitch and rolled a soft grounder to second. Normally surehanded Niko Vasquez kicked the grounder, however, allowing the Ports to take the 8-7 lead, and a double plated an insurance run.
The Blaze was out of gas by that point, as Stockton closer Zach Thornton (S, 11) struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth, around an error, and ended the wild affair.
The loss drops the Blaze to 15-20 in the second half and 56-49 overall.
The series with Stockton continues Saturday night at 7:30pm, with Tanner Robles going against Stockton's Josh Bowman on JACK-fm's Josh Hamilton Bobblehead Night!
Can't make it out? Tune in live to the Blaze Saturday night Game of the Week on SmartTalk 1230-AM locally, or globally on the net at BakersfieldBlaze.com, as Dan Besbris calls all the action 10 minutes prior to first pitch.
California League Stories from July 28, 2012
- Jhoulys Chacin Back in Modesto - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Can't Keep up with Modesto in 8-6 Loss - San Jose Giants
- Inland Empire Slams JetHawks, 15-1 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Heartbreak in Bako, Blaze Lose 9-7 to Ports - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes Crush Storm in Series-Opener on Friday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Series Opener Ends in 15-1 Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
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