Bullpen Locks Down in Speedy 8-6 Win
August 27, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The home team piled up 13 hits, scoring eight runs without the benefit of a homer, and the bullpen allowed just one run over the final four innings as the Bakersfield Blaze took a second straight from the vaunted Visalia Rawhide, 8-6, on a warm Wednesday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark in Bakersfield.
The Blaze got the game going the right way yet again, plating four runs in the bottom of the 1st. The team has now scored 11 runs in the 1st inning over the three games. Tonight, it was the quick strike offense, as Aaron Barbosa and Chantz Mack singled, and Tim Lopes and Tyler O'Neill doubled, with Lopes plating two and O'Neill one. Three batters later, Jordan Cowan banged a base hit to score O'Neill for the 4-0 lead.
But, as all the games have been in this series, the night was far from done. Visalia got a pair of runs in the 2nd off Blaze starter Brett Ash (W, 7-8).
The Blaze countered with one on a Daniel Torres double and Mack sacrifice fly, but in the 4th, the Rawhide got two, and in the 5th, Visalia tied it up.
At the midway point, the game hit the reset button, but didn't remain tied for long. In the home half of the frame, with two outs, Lopes walked and O'Neill doubled to put runners at second and third. And in arguably the most important at-bat of the game, Kyle Petty laced a two-run single to left, putting the Blaze in front for good.
The bullpen took over from there. Ramon Morla, making his non-Arizona pitching debut, struck out the side in the 6th, and Grady Wood (S, 1) worked the final three innings, striking out the side in the 8th before allowing a solo homer in the 9th while picking up the three-inning save.
The win is the second in a row for the hottest team in the League, the Blaze, who sit at 17-8 in the month of August, and continue to surge down the stretch.
The series, and homestand, wrap up on Thursday night, as the Blaze and Rawhide also conclude their season series on Budweiser Throwback Thirsty Thursday. Beers will be one dollar for two full hours beginning at 6:15pm and running until 8:15pm.
On the field, the Blaze will look to Scott DeCecco, one of the team's hottest pitchers, to get them a win in the homestand finale. The game begins at 7:15pm, and the broadcast, should fans feel so inclined to regale their ears, begins five minutes before first pitch. Dan Besbris has the call online at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via the TuneIn Radio app.
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California League Stories from August 27, 2015
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- Giants Cruise to Fourth Straight Win - San Jose Giants
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- Pitchers Shine in Giants 1-0 Win over Sixers - Inland Empire 66ers
- Villalona Powers Giants to 8-1 Win - Inland Empire 66ers
- Bullpen Locks Down in Speedy 8-6 Win - Bakersfield Blaze
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