Blaze Freeze Nuts in Thriller
July 23, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
For an offense that was held scoreless for 18 consecutive innings, it was only fitting that Tyler Marlette had something to say about ending the dry spell.
Marlette's deep drive off the top of the center field wall started a 3-run ninth inning rally as Bakersfield blanked the Modesto Nuts, 3-0.
With both starting pitchers unwavering at any point in the game, Bakersfield's offense showed more signs of life once it faced Tyler Matzek and Logan Cozart (L, 0-4).
Zack Littell and Parker French matched each other through a nearly perfect six innings of work.
Littell surrendered just two hits, while striking out five and walking one batter.
French went one additional inning, but also matched his career-high with nine strike outs in the affair.
With neither team doing much until the final inning, Marlette and the bottom half of the lineup delivered in the clutch.
After Austin Wilson came in to pinch run for Marlette, Chantz Mack walked against Cozart.
Jay Baum laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with one man out before a roller coaster of emotions followed.
Joe DeCarlo was up next and struck out on a fastball over the outside of the plate. DeCarlo, who had struck out on a borderline pitch in his previous at-bat, gave home plate umpire Adrian Gonzalez a piece of his mind.
With two out and two on, Gonzalez ejected DeCarlo as Modesto and Cozart snatched some momentum away and now were one pitch away from getting out of a mess.
Bakersfield would stil fine a way to capture the moment.
Braden Bishop showed a good eye walking on a 3-2 count before Gianfranco Wawoe came up.
Wawoe drilled the first pitch he saw into the hole towards the left side of the infield that scored Wilson. With the Blaze up 1-0, Aaron Barbosa delivered an RBI single to left-center field to score Mack and Bishop.
The damage was done, the Blaze snapped their scoreless streak, and Jake Zokan sealed the deal in the ninth for his fifth save of the season.
Game 3 is set for Saturday with the first pitch at 7:05pm. David Gascon will have all the action on TuneIn Radio and BakersfieldBlaze.com.
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California League Stories from July 23, 2016
- Giants Rout Sixers Behind 18-Hit Outburst - San Jose Giants
- Quakes' Offense Held in Check in Loss to Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Lancaster 6, High Desert 3 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Offense Paces 10-3 Win, Sixers Snap Seven-Game Skid - Inland Empire 66ers
- Furious Late Rally Falls Short for Visalia in 8-7, 11 - Visalia Rawhide
- Ports Blow Early Lead, Win 8-7 in Extras - Stockton Ports
- 66ers Cruise Past Giants to Even Series - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Rally in 9th to Beat Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- High Desert 9, Lancaster 8 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Blaze Freeze Nuts in Thriller - Bakersfield Blaze
- Nuts Suffer Well-Pitched 3-0 Loss - Modesto Nuts
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