Bako Pitches Well, Falls 3-1

Published on June 12, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release


In the opener of a seven game homestand, the Bakersfield Blaze woke up late, but it would prove a little ... too ... late, and the Modesto Nuts plated three single runs early and held on for a 3-1 win.

Johendi Jiminian (W, 3-6), who had struggled mightily in his last three starts, looked tremendous on this Thursday evening. The Dominican-born righthander did not allow a walk (after issuing seven in his last start) and went a season-high seven shutout innings to get the win.

The Blaze offense only began to show signs of life once Modesto went to the bullpen. A pair of baserunners in the 8th inning reached, bringing the tying run to the plate, but Matt Pierpont pitched out of the jam. In the 9th, Bakersfield got on the board against Nuts closer Troy Nieman (S, 2). Nelson Ward began the inning with a triple to rightfield, continuing his impressive first ten days in Bakersfield, and with one out, Tyler O'Neill's infield single brought him home. But a strikeout and a grounder ended the contest, and the Blaze came up two bucks shy.

On the pitching side of the ledger, Dylan Unsworth (L, 0-2) made his third straight spot start, but went just four innings in this one. Though, looking back, Unsworth made just one mistake in the ballgame, when Ryan McMahon homered in the 4th inning. He fanned six batters and allowed two runs, but used a high pitch count in his innings, and had to come out early.

Will Mathis allowed a run in 2.1 innings of relief, though his control was a bit more erratic than usual, and Emilio Pagan followed with the most impressive work on the hill, going 2.2 scoreless to drop his ERA under 3.00 on the year.

The loss, though filled with silver linings, drops the Blaze back to 16 under the 500 mark, with 10 left to go before the All Star Break.

The homestand continues on Fireworks Friday (presented by Pepsi), with another 7:45pm start time at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Fireworks will follow the conclusion of the game, as lefties Harrison Musgrave (Mod) and Ryan Yarbrough (Bak) will square off. Gates open at 6:45pm.

Can't make it out? Listen live to Blaze broadcast action on BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio. Dan Besbris has the call, with pregame show set to begin five minutes before first pitch.

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California League Stories from June 12, 2015


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