Big Hits Power Blaze in 8-5 Win
July 24, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze continue to play strong baseball in front of their home crowds, and on a sold out Thirsty Thursday at Sam Lynn Ballpark, the Blaze blitzed in front of the San Jose Giants early and added a couple late to secure a much-needed 8-5 homestand-opening victory.
Scott DeCecco got the starting nod, though the lefty did not have much to do with the outcome. DeCecco, who continues to build arm strength while transitioning back into the starting rotation, went three innings, giving up three runs on one swing, and left the game with the contest tied at three.
The Blaze bullpen was marvelous. Nick Valenza (W, 2-3) followed DeCecco and allowed just a pair of unearned runs in his 2.2 innings. Emilio Pagan, the third Blaze pitcher of the night, one-upped his pal with 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball. And finally, Kyle Schepel (S, 1) struck out two in a perfect 9th to pick up the save.
Meanwhile, the Blaze offense was bouyed by the return of Tyler O'Neill, who had recently won a gold medal with Team Canada in the Pan-Am games, and on the first pitch he had seen as a Blaze since July 3, O'Neill blasted a 1st-inning homer. Tyler wasn't done, smacking a solo shot in the 5th for his second dinger of the night.
Estarlyn Morales went 3-for-4 on the night for the Blaze, knocking in two runs in the 3rd that put the Blaze ahead for good.
The Giants cut the deficit to 6-5 in the middle innings, but Bakersfield got two big insurance runs in the 8th when Tim Lopes and Morales singled and Daniel Torres doubled them home.
Keury Mella (L, 5-3) took the defeat for the Giants, giving up six run (four earned) in 6.0 innings of work.
The win snaps a four-game skid for the Blaze, but extends the team's home win streak to two.
The club will look for a third straight home victory on Harvey Hall Bobblehead Night on Friday, sending Dan Altavilla to the hill. The Giants counter with Martin Agosta.
The first 1,000 fans in the park take home a Mayor Hall bobblehead. Gates open at 6:45pm; first pitch is at 7:45pm and the radio pregame show begins at 7:40pm. Dan Besbris has the call at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio.
California League Stories from July 24, 2015
- Christmas in July Set for Monday, July 27 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Can't Keep up with Blaze, Fall 8-5 - San Jose Giants
- JetHawks Pitching Grounds Ports in 6-1 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Big Hits Power Blaze in 8-5 Win - Bakersfield Blaze
- 66ers Down Quakes in Ten on McGee's Heroics - Inland Empire 66ers
- Nuts Take Series Opener 4-2 in Ten Innings - Modesto Nuts
- Yuhl, Radziewski Help 'Hawks Snap Skid - Lancaster JetHawks
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