Nuts Settle Atop Blaze 2-1
July 12, 2014 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze can only kick themselves on Friday night at John Thurman Field in Modesto, as the team had baserunners aboard in seven of nine innings, but went 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position, and lost a tight one, 2-1, at the hands of the Modesto Nuts.
Wandy Peralta (L, 6-7) had the start for the Blaze, and pitched well against Modesto for the second straight start and fourth time this year, going 6.0 innings while allowing just two runs on only three hits.
But Jayson Aquino (W, 3-6) was a few pitches better. Aquino stayed down in the zone, working largely with off-speed while time-and-again wiggling out of jams. In all, Aquino went a season-high 7.0 innings, allowing seven baserunners but stranding each of them, and the game went into the late frames with the Blaze trailing 2-0.
Bakersfield put up a fight late.
In the 8th inning with Modesto reliever Shane Broyles on the hill, two dazzling defensive plays saved the Nuts. The Blaze scored a run on a walk to Marquez Smith and a Sebastian Elizalde double, but instead of leading the game, the Blaze remained down 2-1.
In the 9th, Bakersfield had one last chance. With no hits in 11 at-bats with runners at second or third, Nuts closer Rayan Gonzalez (S, 7) retired the first two batters of the frame. Bryson Smith and Zach Vincej followed with singles, putting the tying and go-ahead runs aboard, but Jeff Gelalich struck out, ending the game, and giving the Blaze the unfortunate goose-egg in a dozen tries.
On the road trip, the Blaze are now a rough 3-for-33 with runners in scoring position, and have lost five games in a row, including all four on the current trip, which continues through Monday.
The series in Modesto picks back up on Saturday evening with another 7:05pm start.
Fans can enjoy every moment of Blaze baseball beginning 7:00pm, as Dan Besbris brings the call on the Saturday night Game of the Week both locally on SmartTalk AM-1230 and globally via BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio.
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California League Stories from July 12, 2014
- Giants Edge Ports 2-1 in 12 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Drop Second Straight, Home Saturday for Fireworks - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Blair's 12th Inning Home Run Lifts Giants to Victory - San Jose Giants
- Aquino Pitches Nuts to 2-1 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Newcomer Kemmer Helps 'Hawks Win in Rancho - Lancaster JetHawks
- Nuts Settle Atop Blaze 2-1 - Bakersfield Blaze
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