Blaze Snap Skid with Big 10-7 Win
July 20, 2014 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Losers of ten of their last eleven, the Bakersfield Blaze needed a win, and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes provided the right opponent on the right night. Having dropped eight in a row coming in, the Quakes proved vulnerable, and thanks to a big 3rd inning, the Blaze erased an early four-run deficit for a comeback, 10-7 win over Rancho on Saturday night in Bakersfield.
The game started poorly for the Blaze, but the club never hung their collective head.
Dan Wright (W, 6-3) got the start, and the Quakes scratched for a run in the 1st, another in the 2nd, and two more in the 3rd, one scoring on a strikeout-wild pitch combination.
Down 4-0, the Blaze woke up in a huge way. Quakes starter Tom Windle (L, 9-6) rolled through the first two innings, but Bakersfield beat him out of the game after two more. In the 3rd, the Blaze batted around, coming up with six hits in the frame (including Jeff Gelalich's grand slam homer), and took a 5-4 lead.
The Blaze kept coming, too, scoring nine unanswered to lead 9-4. Windle's day ended after the Blaze got one in the 4th, and Quakes reliever Luis Meza gave up another three-spot in the 6th when the Blaze batted around for a second time. In the frame, Sammy Diaz doubled home Yovan Gonzalez (who walked a career-high four times), Diaz scoring on an error later in the frame, and two free passes and a base hit scored Gelalich for Bako's ninth run.
The Quakes nibbled back into it with a run in the 7th and another in the 8th off Jacob Johnson, but the Blaze tacked one more on the board in the home half when a Juan Perez sharp grounder plated Gelalich.
The 9th proved interesting, as well. Sean Lucas began the frame but allowed three runners to reach, and Pat Kelly was forced to bring in his closer, Ben Klimesh (S, 5). With the tying run aboard, Klimesh got the final out, snapping the losing skid with a much-needed win.
The victory is the first in six games for Bako, moving the club back to 13-16 in the second half, with three more to go on the homestand.
The Blaze and Quakes go right back at it on Sunday in a high noon AAA Brunch at the Ballpark contest under the daylight. Midday temperatures are expected to be in the 80's, so bring a water, buy a Blaze cap and enjoy brunch in the shaded Cool Zone at Sam Lynn Ballpark! Ismael Guillon goes for the Blaze and Chris Anderson for the Quakes.
Can't make it out? Why not listen to every pitch and every moment of Blaze baseball action LIVE on the internet, as Dan Besbris brings the call five minutes before first pitch. The stream can be located at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio on your mobile device.
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California League Stories from July 20, 2014
- Giants Cruise to Fifth Straight Victory - San Jose Giants
- Hader Wins Ninth as Season Hits Century Mark - Lancaster JetHawks
- Another Comeback, Another Win 7-5 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes Fall in Bakersfield Opener - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Late Single Sinks Ports 3-2 - Stockton Ports
- Blaze Snap Skid with Big 10-7 Win - Bakersfield Blaze
- Early Pop Downs Nuts in 5-2 Loss - Modesto Nuts
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