Longballs Lead to Win, 6-2
August 20, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Tyler O'Neill and Chantz Mack homered, Tyler Pike charmed the snake, and the Bakersfield Blaze got a victory over the Lake Elsinore Storm in the homestand finale, 6-2, on Wednesday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
The two Tylers were the combination story on the evening.
On the hill, Tyler Pike (W, 4-6) began his night by struggling mightily, issuing three walks in the first eight batters he faced, and an RBI single put the Blaze in a 1-0 hole after two frames.
But beginning in the 3rd, Pike found the type of groove that makes Mariners fans drool, retiring 12 of the final 14 batters he faced without a walk, and ended his evening giving up just the one run over 6.0 strong innings of work.
Meanwhile, a sleepy Blaze offense got the jolt it needed from the Canadian Sensation Tyler O'Neill. In his second game back off a minor leg injury, O'Neill struck out in his first at-bat, but came up with two runners aboard in the 3rd and hit a ball clear into Greenwich Mean Time to give the Blaze a 3-1 lead against Michael Kelly (L, 0-3).
In the 4th, Chantz Mack smacked his fourth homer since joining the Blaze to add a run, and the Blaze continued to pull away. A run in the 6th on doubles from Austin Wilson and Mack gave Bakersfield a 5-1 lead, and a walk, single and groundout gave the club its sixth run in the bottom of the 7th. O'Neill got his 4th RBI on the putout, while Nelson Ward and Rayder Ascanio each reached base three times.
The Blaze bullpen did their job, as well, with Will Mathis turning in another two scoreless frames, and Carlos Misell allowed a solo homer in the 9th before finishing it off with a 6-2 win.
The Blaze set out for San Jose with the homestand in the rear view, a trip that will take the Blaze to the Bay Area Thursday through Sunday before coming back home. Thursday night's opener in San Jose is set for a 7:05pm start time, and the Blaze will hand the ball to Ryan Yarbrough.
Make sure to listen to every moment live at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via the TuneIn Radio app online. Dan Besbris has the call.
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