Bats Go Quiet as Blaze Swept in Adelanto
Published on July 20, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
For the second time in three games in the most offensively favorable city in the California League, it was not the bats, but rather, the High Desert arms, that did all the talking, and the Mavericks shut down the Blaze on Thursday night en route to a 5-2 win and series sweep.
For the second straight night, High Desert got out to a four run lead over the first half of the ballgame. Tonight, the runs came in spaced intervals across the initial 5 innings.
In the bottom of the first inning, High Desert jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Blaze starter Josh Smith (L, 7-6) on two singles, a walk and a triple. Smith did, to his credit, settle down a bit from there.
Smith allowed just 1 run over the next 3 innings, keeping the Blaze within striking distance.
However, on the other side of the scorebook, High Desert's starting soutpaw Cameron Hobson (W, 5-3), was going to work. Hobson retired the first 14 men in a row before Niko Vasquez reached on an error, and it was only with 1 out in the 6th that Bakersfield got its first hit of the night, a Danny Vicioso triple.
The Blaze did manage to trim the High Desert advantage in the middle innings. Vicioso scored later in the 6th inning after breaking up the no-hitter, and Devin Lohman homered, his 10th, in the 7th, to make the score 4-2.
But the Mavs got an insurance run in the home half of the 7th off Kyle McMyne to push the Blaze back once more. A walk, a stolen bag, and 2 wild pitches brought in the run, and the Bakersfield momentum was halted.
Bakersfield could muster just one baserunner over the game's final 2.0 innings, as Carson Smith (S, 7) collected his second save of the series. High Desert, with the victory, has now won 6 straight games, and the Blaze has now lost 3 in a row.
The defeat knocks the Blaze back to 12-16 in the second half and just 53-45 overall, and the team will continue its current road trip through Visalia, Friday through Sunday.
Make sure to tune in tomorrow, Friday, at 7:00pm, as the Blaze send Daniel Renken to the mound looking to snap the skid against the Rawhide. Visalia will counter with Braden Hagins. Pregame show is set for 6:50pm, with Dan Besbris bringing you the call on both internet (BakersfieldBlaze.com) and radio (SmartTalk AM-1230).
California League Stories from July 20, 2012
- Martinez Evens Record with Scoreless Outing - Lancaster JetHawks
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Host 66ers in Three-Game Weekend Series - San Jose Giants
- Athletics LHP Brett Anderson to Make MLB Rehab Appearance Tomorrow - Stockton Ports
- Giants Erupt for 15-8 Victory over Lancaster - San Jose Giants
- Storm Fall Late 4-2, Fall in Series to Quakes - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Quakes Take Two of Three from Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- JetHawks Sweepless After 15-8 Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
- Bats Go Quiet as Blaze Swept in Adelanto - Bakersfield Blaze
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