Bako Loses Late Lead, Series

Published on April 29, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release


It has become all too commonplace in the season's first four weeks, but once again the Bakersfield Blaze took a lead into the final three innings only to see it slip away, losing on a walk-off, bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, and dropping the game and series to the Lancaster JetHawks on Thursday night.

The Blaze scored first, plating an unusual two runs in the top of the 1st inning while only putting one ball in play. After a strikeout-and-wild-pitch put a runner aboard, back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Another wild pitch brought a run home, and a groundout scored Bakersfield's second tally off JetHawks starter Rogelio Armenteros.

Lancaster slowly worked it back to even over three frames. In the home half of the 1st and 3rd, Ramon Laureano plated Jason Martin, and the game was deadlocked at two runs apiece.

And that's how the contest would stay for some time. Armenteros departed after the standard JetHawks 5.0-innings (as per Astros rules), and Blaze starter Andrew Moore worked 6.0 innings, striking out eight opponents along the way.

In the 7th, the Blaze pushed in front. Arby Fields hustled out an infield single with one out, and with two down, Brock Hebert rammed a triple off the rightfield wall, scoring Fields for a 3-2 lead.

And an inning later, Bako scratched across one more when Austin Wilson walked, advanced a bag on a groundout and eventually scored on a pair of wild pitches. But Eric Peterson (W, 1-0) came on to stem the rally.

The Blaze lead would not be enough. Isaac Sanchez wiggled his way through the 7th and 8th innings, giving up one run, which trimmed the lead to just 4-3, and Ramon Morla (L, 0-2) blew his second save in as many tries in the 9th. The heartbreak seemed more intense, even, on this cold night on the road, as the Blaze lost this one when Morla plunked a JetHawk with the bases full, forcing in the game-winner and dropping the Blaze to a paltry 1-for-8 in save opportunities and 2-8 in games decided by one run.

The Blaze continue their season-long ten game road trip on Friday in San Bernardino with the opener of a three-game set against the 66ers. Dave Gascon is on the call, live at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via TuneIn Radio. First pitch is set for just after 7pm.



California League Stories from April 29, 2016


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