JetHawks Miss out on Sweep of Blaze
June 29, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The JetHawks fell behind early in the final game of the series, and despite several threats, fell to the Bakersfield Blaze, 4-2, on Sunday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
In his high-A debut, Akeem Bostick (0-1) allowed the Blaze (27-47) three runs (two earned) on seven hits, striking out two and walking one. All three runs that Bostick allowed came in the second inning, and the right-hander received the loss.
A fourth-inning single stretched A.J. Reed's hitting streak to 13 games, and Chase McDonald homered for the second consecutive night. The two-run homer was McDonald's 11th of the season, but accounted for the only two runs Lancaster (40-34) could manage against the Blaze, as the club's win streak was snapped at three games.
The JetHawks went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight men on base.
Kyle Petty led off the bottom of the second inning for the Blaze with a single off Bostick. Jay Baum then laid down a sacrifice bunt in front of home plate, but in an attempt to retire the lead runner, catcher Alfredo Gonzalez threw wildly to second base, allowing Petty to reach safely. Carlton Tanabe singled to load the bases, and Aaron Barbosa plated the game's first run with a base hit. Nelson Ward followed with a two-run single for a 3-0 Bakersfield lead.
In the seventh inning, Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk from Blaze starter Tyler Pike (1-3) and stole second base. After a flyout, Aaron Brooks entered in relief for Bakersfield and allowed McDonald a line-drive home run to straightaway center field, putting Lancaster within one run.
Pike earned the win for the Blaze, despite walking four and allowing five hits over 6.1 innings. The left-hander struck out seven and yielded just one run.
Bakersfield added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh with a Tim Lopes RBI-single off reliever Albert Minnis.
With the JetHawks trailing by two runs, Gonzalez and McDonald both singled in the ninth. But a lineout to the pitcher and a diving catch by Blaze right fielder Tyler O'Neill ended Lancaster's comeback bid and denied the club its first four-game sweep of the season.
The JetHawks resume play on Tuesday, opening a four-game series at home against the Inland Empire 66ers. Troy Scribner (2-3, 5.40) will pitch for Lancaster, and Ryan Etsell (4-2, 2.40) will start for Inland Empire. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Don't miss a moment of exciting JetHawks action as they look to defend their 2014 California League title. Season tickets and other great ticket packages are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400, or visit jethawks.com.
• Discuss this story on the California League message board...
California League Stories from June 29, 2015
- Rawhide Homestand Preview: June 30-July 3 - Visalia Rawhide
- Stockton Earns Series Win, Beat 66ers 4-1 - Stockton Ports
- JetHawks Miss out on Sweep of Blaze - Lancaster JetHawks
- The Snake Charmer Pitches Blaze to 4-2 Win - 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.
