Big 8th for Modesto Sinks Blaze, 8-4
Published on May 6, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
A tight pitchers' duel got out of hand quickly when the Modesto Nuts scored 5 runs in the top of the 8th, turning a 3-1 game into an 8-1 contest, and while the Bakersfield Blaze fought back with 3 runs of their own, the team could not overcome the big deficit, and fell to the Nuts, 8-4.
Josh Smith (L, 1-4) got the start for Bakersfield, and posted his best outing to date, surrendering just 3 runs (2 earned) over 6 innings in his first quality start of the year. It would not be enough, however, as his counterpart, Modesto's sinkerballer Juan Gonzalez (W, 1-3), limited the Blaze to just a run on 4 hits over 6 sterling innings of his own.
Modesto led from wire to wire. The Nuts scored a run in the 2nd inning on a double and a single, got another on a missed flyball in rightfield, and added a 3rd a few innings later on 3 hits. The big inning, though, was the 8th. With the Nuts leading 3-1, Jamie Walczak was called upon to keep the game close, but it was not Jamie's day. Walczak gave up a double and a walk to start the inning, but got the next 2 batters to come within an out of escaping the jam. Modesto, though, came up with 4 consecutive hits with 2 outs, and a throwing mistake tacked on one extra base as the Nuts hung a 5-spot on Walczak and the Blaze.
Bakersfield's Donald Lutz hit his Cal League lead-tying 9th homer of the season in the bottom half with 2 runners aboard to cut the Blaze hole to 8-4, but after putting 2 aboard in the 9th, the Nuts turned to closer Adam Jorgensen (S, 5), and he got the final out to put the ballgame away.
The Blaze fall to 16-13 with the loss, and go just 2-4 on the homestand now concluded. The club trails San Jose in the North by 3 games. Bakersfield embarks on a 6-game road trip on Monday, with 3 each in Lancaster and Inland Empire before an off day next Sunday. All 6 games can be heard LIVE on BakersfieldBlaze.com, and Friday and Saturday's games will be available locally on SmartTalk 1230AM in Bakersfield/Kern, with Dan Besbris calling all the action. Make sure to start looking at tickets for the next Blaze homestand, which begins May 14 on Faith and Family Night!
California League Stories from May 6, 2012
- JetHawks Ship Home After Sweeping Ports - Lancaster JetHawks
- Big 8th for Modesto Sinks Blaze, 8-4 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes Sweep Storm, with 9-2 Win on Sunday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Rally to Complete Perfect Homestand - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks Win Wild One in Stockton - Lancaster JetHawks
- Seven 2-Out Runs Push Blaze to 7-6 Victory - Bakersfield Blaze
- Giants Top 66ers for Fifth Consecutive Win - San Jose Giants
- Rawhide Win Series, Split Doubleheader - Visalia Rawhide
- Quakes Win Third Straight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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