Nuts Prevail Late, 2-1
April 15, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The dazzling work of Bakersfield Blaze starter Ryan Yarbrough would not be enough on School Day in Bakersfield, as the Modesto Nuts scored two runs late and overtook the Blaze for a 3-2 win in front of 1,300 screaming children.
The game began promisingly for Bakersfield, as Yarbrough worked out of a 1st-inning jam only giving up a single run, and the Blaze countered with two runs in the 2nd on Kyle Petty's first dinger of the 2015 campaign.
From there, the starting pitchers went to work. Yarbrough was particularly impressive in his second outing of 2015, at one point retiring 13 Nuts batters in a row, and 11 in a row on groundouts. After struggling in his debut, Yarbrough showed why the Mariners are so excited about his devastating lefthanded sinking fastball.
On this bright, sunny day, his efforts would not be enough.
Modesto's starter matched Yarbrough with 6.0 innings of his own, as Konner Wade looked solid in his second outing this year, as well.
The game would be decided by the bullpens, and after a strong showing on Tuesday night, the Blaze pen struggled today.
Paul Fry entered in the 7th, and a leadoff walk came around to score later in the frame on Ashley Graeter's first of two key two-out RBI hits. Fry worked a scoreless 8th, and the game went to the 9th tied at two.
Trey Cochran-Gill (L, 0-1) was brought in to preserve the tie, and the previously untouched righthander allowed Graeter's second key hit of the night, scoring the eventual game-winner.
Bakersfield could muster no further offense after Petty's early-game home run, as the combination of Carlos Estevez (W, 1-0) and Rayan Gonzalez (S, 1) pitched the final three frames to lock down Modesto's win.
The Blaze finish the season's first week at 2-5, though the pitching has been solid, and the bats showed signs of life over the final four games of the homestand. The Blaze next home game is April 23.
The club sets out on the road first thing Thursday morning for seven games in the North, beginning with four in San Jose and finishing with three in Stockton.
The road opener is set for a 7:05pm start time against the Giants, with Chase Johnson getting the start for San Jose (in their home opener), and Dan Altavilla makes his second appearance for the Blaze.
Make sure to tune in to the broadcast every night on the road as Dan Besbris brings the call live at BakersfieldBlaze.com or via TuneIn Radio. The pregame show begins at 7:00pm.
• Discuss this story on the California League message board...
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
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.