Blaze Steal Finale in Stockton, Win 5-2 in Extras
Published on May 18, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze showed tremendous grit on Saturday night, coming from behind to tie the Stockton Ports in the 9th, before winning in extras, and stealing the series finale, 5-2.
The battle of James began in fine fashion, with Stockton's James Simmons, a former first round pick in 2007 logging four shutout innings in his first start back with Stockton. Simmons did not record a strikeout, but solid movement on his pitches kept the Blaze off balanace, and Bakersfield mustered just one hit over those four frames.
James Allen, the Blaze starter, matched Simmons pitch for pitch over that span, as well. Allen fanned three Ports over the first four innings, retiring ten straight Stockton batters through the end of the 4th inning.
The Blaze finally broke through in the 5th, with Juan Silva smashing a solo homer to right off Ports reliever Jake Brown.
In the bottom of the inning, though, Stockton got that run back, when Allen issued two walks, and a Philip Pohl pop fly fell untouched in shallow right (Blaze rightfielder Juan Duran seemed to lose the flyball in the night sky) to load the bases. The Ports followed with a series of grounders, settling for just one run in the inning, and the game moved to the 6th tied at one.
Brown and Allen each traded a scoreless frame, and then Ports second reliever Jose Macias and the first Blaze out of the pen, Carlos Gonzalez, traded a scoreless inning of their own.
In the 8th, the Blaze were once again set down by Macias, but the Ports scratched across a run in the bottom half. Addison Russell reached on an infield hit to start the inning, and took second on the third error of the night charged to the Blaze defense. Then, on a 3-0 count, Max Muncy was given the green light, and Stockton's first baseman lashed an RBI single to left to put the Ports up 2-1. Stockton would go on to leave the bases loaded in the inning, sending the game to the ninth as just a one-run contest.
The ability to strand the bases loaded ended up playing an enormous role, as the Blaze tied it up in the top of the 9th. Marquez Smith led off the frame with a double to left off Ports closer Brett Hunter, and two outs later Juan Duran dunked a single into shallow right to score him, tying the game at two.
After a scoreless 10th from Brett Hunter and Bakersfield's Wes Mugarian, the Blaze flexed their muscle in the 11th. Jonathan Joseph entered for the Ports, and his second pitch of the inning was crushed over the 20-foot wall in center for a Yorman Rodriguez solo homer, putting the Blaze up 3-2. Smith then followed with a walk, and new Blaze Steve Selsky hit his second homer of the series, a two-run bomb, and the Blaze led 5-2 going into the bottom half.
For the second straight night, the Blaze turned to El'Hajj Muhammad (S, 4), and the righthander had more than enough still in the tank, striking out two for the save and the series split.
The win gives the Blaze momentum heading into a seven game homestand that begins Sunday at 1:30pm against the High Desert Mavericks, and improves the team's road record to 6-19. Sunday is Kids Club Picnic Day, so make sure to sign your youngsters up for the incredible deals. For more information, check out the Kids pages at BakersfieldBlaze.com.
Can't make it to the yard? Listen to Dan Besbris call the action live at 1:25pm with the pregame show, followed by Blaze baseball all afternoon, also available at BakersfieldBlaze.com.
California League Stories from May 18, 2013
- Blaze Steal Finale in Stockton, Win 5-2 in Extras - Bakersfield Blaze
- Two JetHawks Have Big Nights in Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
- Cavan's Grand Slam Powers Giants to 5-3 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Modesto Hangs on Late to Drop Storm - Modesto Nuts
- Jimenez Sterling Through Seven, 66ers Win - Inland Empire 66ers
- Cruz Cruises, Bullpen Holds for Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Blaze Edge Ports 1-0 - Stockton Ports
- Errors and Miscues Cost Rawhide Ballgame - Visalia Rawhide
- Gould Sharp in Quakes' Defeat - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Blaze Pitchers Shine in 1-0 Shutout of Ports - Bakersfield Blaze
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