Bako Clobbers Rancho with Big Bat Attack, 14-7
June 1, 2013 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes may have featured Hanley Ramirez on a rehab assignment, but the Bakersfield Blaze featured an offensive onslaught from all nine starters, and ran away from Rancho for an easy 14-7 win on Friday night in Bakersfield.
In front of a sellout crowd, gathering to see fireworks and the Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Shortstop, the Blaze struck early, and often, scoring in six of eight offensive innings.
Duke Von Schamann (L, 7-2) got the start for Rancho, riding a personal seven-game winning streak, but that came to an abrupt halt. The Blaze scored three times in the 1st inning, highlighted by a Marquez Smith two-run homer, once in the 2nd, once more in the 3rd, and twice more in the 4th on a Yorman Rodriguez opposite field blast, plating seven runs off the big righthander.
On the other side, Carlos Contreras (W, 3-5) appeared focused, striking out five over five innings, including Hanley Ramirez in the 3rd. Carlos did allow three runs, with Rancho taking advantage of a brief scoring window with a pair of runs in the 2nd and one more in the 3rd, but they would never get closer than two runs the rest of the way.
The first Rancho reliever, Joel Lima, struggled even more than the starter. After a scoreless 5th, the first seven straight Blaze reached base in the 6th, scoring five runs in the frame while blowing the game open and grabbing a 12-3 lead.
From there, the teams exchanged a run here and a run there to the finish. Jamie Walczak tossed a scoreless 6th, and Rancho plated one in the 8th off Jimmy Moran. The Blaze added two tallies 7th on Juan Perez's third homer of the year, and a Smith RBI double for his fifth RBI of the night, driving in Yovan Gonzalez for his fourth run scored of the game.
Kyle McMyne struggled a tad in the 9th to get the game to its conclusion, allowing three meaningless runs, and the Blaze put this long, offense-based affair in the win column by the final score of 14-7.
The game also marked the first 100-percent sold out night at Sam Lynn Ballpark, with the Hanley Ramirez appearance combining with fireworks for the biggest crowd of 2013.
The win moves the Blaze to 20-34 on the season, and 1-1 on the homestand, with the four-game set with Rancho continuing through Sunday. Hanley Ramirez is expected to play in both games this weekend, subject to decisions by the Dodgers organization.
Another large crowd is expected for Saturday night, which features a Blaze car sunshade giveaway to the first 1,000 in attendance, courtesy of Central Cal Type One. Gates open at 6:30pm - get your tickets in advance at BakersfieldBlaze.com to avoid being turned away.
Can't make it? Listen to the Blaze Saturday Night Game of the Week on internet at BakersfieldBlaze.com or radio locally in Kern County on SmartTalk AM-1230, as Dan Besbris brings the call live. The pregame show begins at 7:25pm with Blaze action to follow.
California League Stories from June 1, 2013
- Stockton Powers Past Giants, 9-4 - San Jose Giants
- Offense Keeps 'Hide Alive in Slugfest - Visalia Rawhide
- Crocker, Peters Carry Ports to 4-3 Win - Stockton Ports
- Giants Suffer 4-3 Loss to Stockton - San Jose Giants
- Winkler Dominates as Nuts Even Series - Modesto Nuts
- Hanley Ramirez Not Enough, Quakes Fall to Blaze - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Comeback Comes up Short, Win Streak Ends - Lancaster JetHawks
- Bako Clobbers Rancho with Big Bat Attack, 14-7 - Bakersfield Blaze
- IE Falls Friday to Storm, Military Appreciation Night Saturday with 66ers - Inland Empire 66ers
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