Blaze Steal Finale in Modesto, 3-2
April 24, 2014 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
After trailing from the outset and losing its second starting outfielder of the year to injury, the Bakersfield Blaze mounted another late-game comeback, erasing a 2-0 deficit, and jumping the Modesto Nuts for a 3-2 win in the afternoon finale at John Thurman Field in Modesto.
Modesto jumped out early, and, in the process, snapped an 18-inning scoreless streak dating back to Monday.
After Ben Alsup retired the Blaze in the top of the 1st thanks in small part to a baserunning gaffe, the Nuts woke up. Three hits in the bottom half of the frame tacked a run on the board off Blaze starter James Allen, and Modesto led, 1-0.
The story in this game, though, took place in the bottom of the 2nd. With one out and the bases empty, Jordan Ribera hit a slicing drive down the leftfield line, and while giving chase, Jesse Winker slammed shoulder (and face) first into the wall. Winker went to the deck, and Ribera got himself an inside-the-park home run. No update has been provided on Winker's condition, but he was removed from the game following the collision with the Nuts leading 2-0.
From there, the pitchers went at it. Allen set down 13 in a row between the end of the 2nd and the start of the 7th, and Ben Alsup allowed just a double and two singles over the first six frames.
Bakersfield got on the board in the 7th. Kyle Waldrop collected his third hit of the game - at the time, Kyle had three of the team's four total hits - and with two outs, Juan Perez's infield hit and coincident throwing error scored Waldrop.
And then, things got a little goofy. In the top of the 8th, with Rayan Gonzalez (L, 1-1) on the hill, Jon Matthews drew a leadoff walk and stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position. Juan Silva worked a long at-bat before hitting a high hopper to the right side. Gonzalez neglected to cover first, and Silva was able to beat the play for an infield hit, putting runners at the corners. After a strikeout, Seth Mejias-Brean hit a slow roller to the right side, but an errant throw to second base allowed the tying run to score, and runners were safe. A double steal moved both into scoring position, and a wild pitch brought in Silva for the 3-2 lead.
Jimmy Moran (W, 2-1) had already retired three, and he got two more outs in the 8th before being lifted with two runners aboard. Carlos Gonzalez (S, 4) followed Moran, got the final out in the 8th on one pitch, and took care of the Nuts in the 9th on three flyballs, locking down a very difficult save, and getting the Blaze wins in three of four at John Thurman Field.
The Blaze leave Modesto, but not yet, for home, as the team will play three more on the road in San Jose, Friday through Sunday, with three different start times. Sunday is a 1pm start, Saturday's contest begins at 5pm, and tomorrow night, the Blaze will tackle the Giants in a standard Friday evening 7pm game at Municipal Stadium.
A weekend coming means it's also time for a pair of Blaze Games of the Week! Drew Cisco will get the starting nod on Friday night against San Jose's Pat Young, and that game can be heard LIVE on both internet and radio. Dan Besbris will have the call on the local station for Blaze baseball, SmartTalk AM-1230. The game will also be available through the typical internet links at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via TuneIn Radio. The pregame show begins 10 minutes before first pitch.
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California League Stories from April 24, 2014
- JetHawks Shut Down in Strong Westwood Outing - Lancaster JetHawks
- Alsup's Gem Wasted in 3-2 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Blaze Steal Finale in Modesto, 3-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
- KaBoom to Appear at Poppy Festival with City of Hope - Lancaster JetHawks
- Rawhide Homestand Preview (April 25-27) - Visalia Rawhide
- Ports Rally for Walk-Off 5-4 Win - Stockton Ports
- 66ers' 12th Inning Rally Drops Lancaster - Lancaster JetHawks
- Offense Fails Nuts in 7-0 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Rawhide Blast Giants, Losing Streak at Four - San Jose Giants
- Winker Goes Wild, Blaze Blast Nuts - Bakersfield Blaze
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