Bakersfield Blaze Game Recap 0: Littell Brilliant, Blaze
August 18, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Zack Littell made his ninth start as a Bakersfield Blaze on Wednesday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark, and while it seemed nearly impossible for the young hurler to look any better than he has, Littell was dominant, going 7.0 shutout innings to shut down the San Jose Giants and lead Bakersfield to an easy 8-3 win.
The Blaze knew they would have their hands full, going up against (maybe) the largest man in the California League, Dan Slania (L, 2-1). But the home team was up to the task, capitalizing on every opportunity and playing a clean game defensively to build an early lead.
After Littell (W, 7-1) worked a brisk top of the 1st, the Blaze pushed in front. Gianfranco Wawoe and Chantz Mack singled before Jay Baum doubled in a run for a 1-0 lead. Kyle Petty followed with an RBI groundout, as well.
Three innings later, Bakersfield, still riding the shoulders of Littell, opened up a comfortable advantage with another deuce. Baum walked to begin the frame, and with two outs, Jay stole second and scored on an Austin Wilson single. Wilson moved to second on the throw home, and that extra 90 feet proved critical when Jordan Cowan singled to bring home Wilson for a 4-0 lead.
Bakersfield got one more in the 6th off Slania on two walks, a single and a Cowan sacrifice fly.
Slania exited after 6.0 innings, and struggling lefty Carlos Diaz took over. The Blaze felt no pity, plating two runs in the 7th on a Wawoe 400-foot homer to leftfield and a Petty double to score Chantz Mack. Not to be outdone, Wawoe doubled in a run in the 8th for an 8-0 lead.
Ramon Morla picked up for Littell in the 8th and gave up three runs on four hits and two walks over two rough innings, but it was enough to secure the win, 8-3.
With the victory, the Blaze maintain their three-game lead in the North race for the Second Half Title, and play one more with the Giants on Thursday at 7:15pm on a very special Back-to-School Throwback Thursday.
California League Stories from August 18, 2016
- Ruxer's Arm, Hermosillo's Bat Lead Sixers Over Storm - Inland Empire 66ers
- Giants Suffer 8-3 Loss To Blaze Davis and Garcia homer in defeat, Arenado hit streak extended to 14 - San Jose Giants
- Markus Solbach Allows One Run in Eight-Plus Innings - Visalia Rawhide
- Smash and Grab Lead Nuts to 4-3 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Bakersfield Blaze Game Recap 0: Littell Brilliant, Blaze - Bakersfield Blaze
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