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Wright Wins 11th as Blaze Take 11-7 Finale

September 1, 2014 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release


Dan Wright went seven innings in his final regular season outing, the Bakersfield Blaze offense pounded out 16 hits, and the Bako boys of summer took three of four from the visiting Visalia Rawhide, winning the regular season finale 11-7 on Labor Day afternoon.

Offensively, almost everyone got in on the act. Beau Amaral reached base four times and scored each time; Marquez Smith had three hits (including his 29th homer) and four RBI, and Joe Hudson hit his third homer of the series. In all, the Blaze plated run in six of the team's eight offensive innings, including crooked numbers in three frames.

The Rawhide did most of their damage late. Three runs in the 2nd inning put Visalia ahead, briefly, 3-1, but Blaze starter Dan Wright (W, 11-5) settled in after that road bump. Wright beat the Rawhide with another 7.0-inning performance, and is now 4-0 against Visalia on the season in five starts, head-to-head.

The game did not have implications for the postseason, but the Blaze were looking to grab a little momentum before a four-day break, and today certainly did the trick. Eight of nine position players reached base safely, and a combination of Brian Pearl, Jacob Johnson and Jimmy Moran finished it off.

Mixed in, the Blaze let Marquez Smith try his hand at pitching, and it did not go swimmingly. Looking to try to get the final out, Smith faced two batters and gave up a single and a double.

There won't be many complaints, though, as Smith finished his 2014 season with a .323 average and a minor-league best 131 runs batted in, including 126 of them with Bakersfield.

The Blaze now take a seat in front of their radios and wait the winner of the first round miniseries battle between Visalia and Stockton. Fans can listen to that first round battle on TuneIn Radio.

Blaze fans are encouraged to join the club for the TWO postseason games at home, September 6 and 7 at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Both contests will be 7:00pm start times, and Saturday will include a Fireworks show.

The broadcast for all Blaze playoff games will hold the status quo, as Dan Besbris will have the call on internet five minutes before first pitch.

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