Tough Start Set-Back Blaze
July 20, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze never quite got into the Tuesday evening contest with the Visalia Rawhide, falling behind 3-0 right out of the chute, and dropping the homestand finale, 6-3 before a nice Sam Lynn Ballpark crowd.
The game began with an unpleasant Rawhide strike. An error on the very first pitch of the game was followed by three Visalia hits and a sacrifice fly, and before the fans could grab their hot dogs, the Blaze trailed by three runs.
Bako got one back when Joe DeCarlo slugged his ninth homer of the year, a solo shot, in the 2nd inning off Rawhide starter Justin Donatella (W, 2-1), but that would be it for the home team off the starting pitcher.
Visalia added two in the 5th on a homer to end the night for Anthony Misiewicz (L, 5-8), and the visitors scratched across a sixth run on three singles off Art Warren in the 7th, building a 6-1 lead in the process.
The never-quit Blaze did ultimately wake up late, but unfortunately it proved too little too late. DeCarlo continued his strong night with a two-run single in the 8th off Rawhide reliever Drew Muren, cutting the hole to 6-3, but that is how it would end.
Myles Smith (S, 1) worked an uneventful 9th to wrap it up.
Besides Joe DeCarlo, Tyler Marlette reached base three times on the night for the Blaze offense, and Darin Gillies pitched two scoreless innings in the defeat.
With the homestand wrapping up, the Blaze take a rare day off on Wednesday before voyaging north for four games in Modesto and three in San Jose. First pitch on Thursday at John Thurman Field is set for 7:05pm. Dave Gascon is on the call, and fans can listen to every moment live at BakersfieldBlaze.com or via TuneIn Radio.
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California League Stories from July 20, 2016
- Storm Take Series Opener 7-4 over Sixers - Inland Empire 66ers
- Sixers Comeback Falls Short in 8-7 Loss to Storm - Inland Empire 66ers
- Storm Sweeps Sixers - Inland Empire 66ers
- Tough Start Set-Back Blaze - Bakersfield Blaze
- Ports Salvage Finale with 4-3 Win in Extras - Stockton Ports
- Nuts Unable to Complete Sweep in 4-3 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- JetHawks Hold off Quakes on Tuesday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Jethawks Rally, Hold On For Thornton - Lancaster JetHawks
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