Iriart Smokes out Blaze
September 5, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Chris Iriart hit the game-tying home run to lead off the eighth inning against Joe Pistorese and then for good measure he tagged the left-hander again.
Iriart's 2-run blast in the bottom of the ninth inning earned him a Gatorade shower at home plate as the Ports trumped the Blaze, 4-2.
The mutli-home run performance for Iriart was one of the few bright spots in a rather dismal season for Stockton (59-80).
Bakersfield on the other hand lost back-to-back games at Stockton for the first time this year.
Tyler Pike was in line for the win after he tossed five innings of shutout ball, but the bullpen failed to seal the deal.
Pike surrendered just one hit, but walked five and struck out five in his 25th start of the season.
Jordan Cowan is now 8-15 in the series after he hit a double and triple in the losing cause.
Hitting in the top spot, Cowan doubled to start the game off before Drew Jackson singled up the middle.
Both runners eventually came in to score, but the Blaze would not be heard from after that.
Bakersfield's inability to string hits together eventually did them in. Bako was a lowly 1-14 with runners in scoring position as they also left nine runners stranded.
A long and exciting season for the Blaze comes to a regular season close Monday evening in Stockton. Game 140 won't be the last for Bakersfield as they will have a day off before they square off against the Giants in the Mini Series starting Wednesday in San Jose.
First pitch from Banner Island Ballpark is scheduled for 6:10pm with David Gascon bringing the regular season to a close on TuneIn Radio and BakersfieldBlaze.com.
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California League Stories from September 5, 2016
- Giants Drop Regular Season Finale in 14 Innings - San Jose Giants
- Participants for 1st Annual Rawhide Hitting Challenge - Visalia Rawhide
- Sixers Hit Season-Best Four Homers But Fall 8-7 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Participants for 1st Annual Rawhide Hitting Challenge - Visalia Rawhide
- Iriart Smokes out Blaze - Bakersfield Blaze
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