Blaze Win 6th Straight, 4-3, in 11 Innings
Published on May 24, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
After a three game sweep of the High Desert Mavericks, the Stockton Ports came to Sam Lynn Ballpark, and suffered the same fate, falling at the hands of the suddenly surging Bakersfield Blaze in extra inning, 4-3 on Thursday night.
Dating back to the finale of Bakersfield's four-game set in Stockton last week, this marks two consecutive extra-inning wins for the Blaze against the Ports, with both victories coming in the 11th.
This time, however, the Blaze did not need a late-game comeback to send it to extras - the Ports did.
In a rematch of a contest from six days ago, Jon Moscot got the start for Bakersfield, and Drew Granier for the Ports, and both starters had to battle. Moscot used up all of his bullets in five innings, allowing two runs, while Granier allowed three runs in the first five innings before two quick frames in the 6th and 7th.
The key plays in the first nine frames occurred in the 4th, 5th and 7th, with Bakersfield getting the first run of the night on a Juan Silverio RBI single to extend his hitting streak to 14 games.
In the 5th, each team traded a deuce, with Stockton scoring on a Tony Thompson, bases-loaded, two-run single, and the Blaze collecting their two on Marquez Smith's fifth homer of the year, a mammoth blast to center.
The Ports got even in the 7th. Kyle Lotzkar, in his first appearance since a return to A-ball, plunked the leadoff man, Myrio Richard, in his helmet with a fastball. Richard turned out to be fine after a scary moment, then promptly stole second and third and scored on a Max Muncy RBI single.
From there, the pens went to work. Pat Doyle tossed three shutout innings for the Blaze, while Pedro Vidal went two scoreless for the Ports. Blake Hassebrock (L, 1-3) worked through a scoreless 10th, though his luck would change in the 11th.
After Blaze closer El'Hajj Muhammad (W, 1-0) worked a quick top of the 11th, Hassebrock walked Ryan Wright to lead off the bottom half. After Yorman Rodriguez failed to bunt, Marquez Smith walked, as well, bringing up Steve Selsky, who, to that point, was 0-4 in the game. Selsky was up to the task in the 11th, lacing a 1-1 fastball into right-center, bringing home Wright, and sending the Thirsty Thursday crowd home elated.
The win is number six in a row for Bakersfield, setting a new season high in consecutive wins, and the team also extended a home winning streak to five. Bakersfield gets its 17th win of the year, and will try to elongate all marks on Friday night at 7:30pm, when the Blaze and Ports do battle on Fireworks Friday. James Allen (2-4, 4.62) gets the call for the Blaze, and James Simmons (0-0, 0.00) for the Ports.
Can't make it to the fantastic fireworks show? Listen to the entire ballgame on radio and internet, as Blaze broadcaster Dan Besbris brings the call at BakersfieldBlaze.com and locally at SmartTalk AM-1230 on radio with the Friday Night Blaze Game of the Week. Pregame show is set to begin at 7:20pm, with the game to follow.
California League Stories from May 24, 2013
- JetHawks Announce Military Appreciation Night - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Can't Shake Rawhide In Extras - Visalia Rawhide
- 66ers Announce Protect and Serve Night - Inland Empire 66ers
- Blaze Edge Ports 4-3 in 11 - Stockton Ports
- Giants Bullpen Saves 2-1 Victory over Mavericks - San Jose Giants
- Nuts Batter Rawhide to Avoid Sweep - Modesto Nuts
- Blaze Win 6th Straight, 4-3, in 11 Innings - Bakersfield Blaze
- Rawhide Top Quakes in Extras - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Wild Pitch Puts JetHawks Back in First - Lancaster JetHawks
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