Diaz Leads Blaze in Shutout
April 15, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze mustered a run in the 1st inning, and the dynamite arm of Edwin Diaz led the pitching bum rush, as Bakersfield shut out the visiting Modesto Nuts on a bitter cold Tuesday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark, 1-0.
After Diaz (W, 1-0) blitzed through the top of the 1st, the Blaze wiggled across the game's only run in the home half. Ian Miller began the frame with an infield hit, and Tim Lopes sacrificed him to second. Tyler O'Neill followed with an infield hit of his own, and Tyler Marlette's grounder to the hole on the right side plated Miller.
From there, the story was pitching. Fast pitching.
Diaz allowed just a single hit over his 6.0 innings of work - a one-out blooper off the bat of Rosell Herrera in the 4th. Otherwise, Diaz was perfect. Edwin fanned one batter each in the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th innings, and two in the 3rd and 4th for another eight-strikeout night without a walk.
Brett Ash followed by pitching the 7th and 8th innings, surrendering just a base hit during his tenure on the mound.
The 9th proved to be the most difficult frame. Emilio Pagan (S, 1) allowed a leadoff double to Modesto's Dillon Thomas, who moved to third on a passed ball. With the infield in, Pagan collected a key strikeout, and then induced a slow roller to the right side for the second out. The infield shifted back to normal depth, but Pagan handled the final batter of the game on his own, striking out Michael Benjamin to lock up the win.
For Modesto, starter Antonio Senzatela (L, 0-2) will get tagged with the defeat despite going 6.0 strong innings of his own, allowing just the one run while striking out five.
The victory moves Bakersfield to 2-4 on the season's first week and drops Modesto to that equal 2-4 mark. With the series tied 1-1, the Blaze and Nuts get set for a morning rubber match on Alianza's Nonprofit Wednesday in an 11:00am contest. Gates to the park open at 10:00am.
It's also the season's first of two School Days at Sam Lynn, and over 1,100 kids are expected on hand for the ballgame.
Mariners prospect Ryan Yarbrough takes the hill for the Blaze, looking to bounce back off a battle of a first start, and the Nuts counter with Konner Wade.
Fans are invited to come and enjoy the cool midday sun.
Can't make it? Listen live, as Dan Besbris has the call of every pitch at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via TuneIn Radio. Pregame show starts at 10:55am.
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California League Stories from April 15, 2015
- San Jose Giants Homestand Preview: April 16 - April 22 - San Jose Giants
- Nuts Club 15 Hits in 11-3 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Nuts Shutout 1-0 against Blaze - Modesto Nuts
- Two-Out Magic Backs Nuts' Staff in 3-2 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Nuts Prevail Late, 2-1 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Glaesmann Hits for Cycle, Rawhide Dominate Giants - Visalia Rawhide
- Rancho Drops Third Straight, Returns Home Thursday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Rawhide Cruise Past Giants, 9-2 - San Jose Giants
- Diaz Leads Blaze in Shutout - Bakersfield Blaze
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