Blaze Lack Punch, Fall to Ports
September 4, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
It was just one of those nights for the Bakersfield Blaze that nothing went right and it showed on the scoreboard.
Melvin Mercedes played all nine positions for the Stockton Ports and he helped close out the Blaze, 8-3.
Mercedes hit a leadoff single in the first inning off of Eddie Campbell to get the offense ignited. Arismendy Alcantara knocked him in one batter later with an RBI double and the Ports cruised from there.
Another rough outing for Campbell was intensified in the second inning when errors by Chantz Mack and Jordan Cowan helped stake Stockton to a 5-1 advantage.
Henderson Alvarez made a rehab start for the Oakland A's and pitched decently for two innings. The right-hander surrendered one run on five hits, but he set things up nicely for Grant Holmes (W, 11-7)
Holmes picked up the victory by tossing 4.2 innings for Stockton in relief duty. The righty struck out seven batters, walked four, and gave up two runs (1 ER).
Campbell (L, 11-9) on the other side only lasted four innings, giving up five runs (3 ER), four hits, walking three, and striking out two.
Jordan Cowan and Kyle Petty had nice showings as they both went 3-5 in defeat.
The loss snaps the Blaze five game winning streak and Jay Baum's run of hitting safely in 13 straight also came to a close as well.
Game 3 of the 4-game series is on Sunday from Banner Island Ballpark. First pitch with David Gascon is at 6:10 and all the action is available on TuneIn Radio along with BakersfieldBlaze.com.
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California League Stories from September 4, 2016
- Iriart's Two Blasts Give Ports 4-2 Win - Stockton Ports
- Back-To-Back Jacks Help Rodriguez and Nuts to 4-3 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Offense Shut Down in 4-0 Loss - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks Hold off Sixers, Clinch Second Half Title - Inland Empire 66ers
- Mercedes Plays Nine Positions in 8-3 Ports Win - Stockton Ports
- Blaze Lack Punch, Fall to Ports - Bakersfield Blaze
- French Crowned in 7-3 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Late Rally Falls Short, Giants Lose 2-1 - San Jose Giants
- Lancaster 7, Inland Empire 6 - Lancaster JetHawks
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