Marathon 9-Inning Game Ends in Defeat
May 17, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In front of yet another bustling Dollar Monday crowd at Sam Lynn Ballpark, the Bakersfield Blaze and Stockton Ports battled to see which team could squander the most chances. At the end of the night, the Blaze missed a few more chances and dropped the finale of the season-long ten game homestand, 8-4.
In a rare twist, Tyler Herb (L, 3-2) looked human, though his defense let him down early. A double-play grounder in the 1st inning turned into a missed catch at second base, and that play would start what turned out to be a four run Stockton half of the inning.
Bakersfield got a run back in the 2nd on a Chantz Mack triple lost in the dusk sky followed by an Austin Wilson sacrifice fly, but the Ports pushed farther ahead through the middle innings.
A solo homer into the catwalk for Joe Bennie made it 5-1 Stockton, and after Herb shuffled back to the clubhouse after his 4.0 innings - his shortest start of the year - Osmer Morales was greeted rudely by a Stockton offense that quickly rattled off four hits for three more runs and an 8-1 lead.
The Blaze had countless chances to get close.
Stockton starter Brett Graves lasted just 4.2 innings himself, and a cavalcade of Ports relievers was equally uninspiring. After the Blaze added two runs off Graves in the 5th on RBI hits from Drew Jackson and Jay Baum, the Blaze proceeded to load the bases twice in the 6th and once more in the 8th, but only were able to muster one run out of the golden opportunities.
In all, Bakersfield stranded 11 runners and went but 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position. The 8-4 final was much closer than one might think.
For the Ports, Matt Stalcup (W, 2-0) pitched most effectively in relief and was granted the win.
The Blaze now head on the road for a seven game trip that begins with three games in Adelanto against the vaunted High Desert Mavericks.
Dave Gascon will have the call for all seven games at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio. First pitch for the opener is set for 6:35pm.
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California League Stories from May 17, 2016
- Ports May 17th-May 23rd Homestand Preview - Stockton Ports
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Road Trip Continues in Stockton - San Jose Giants
- Stockton Earns Series Split with 8-4 Win - Stockton Ports
- Marathon 9-Inning Game Ends in Defeat - Bakersfield Blaze
- Ritchie, JetHawks Get Rich in Rout of Storm - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Bats Stymied in 3-1 Loss to Nuts - San Jose Giants
- Early Offense Backs Almonte in 3-1 Win - Modesto Nuts
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