Blaze Dingered to Death, 8-2
July 20, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Stockton Ports flexed their muscle on Sunday evening at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, slugging five homers, and the battle-weary Bakersfield Blaze dropped their second in a row on the road, 8-2.
Tyler Pike (L, 2-4) got the start for Bakersfield, and the Snake-Charmer simply didn't have his best control. After six straight strong starts for Tyler, Pike issued four walks in just 2.1 innings tonight and surrendered three homers in a four-run 3rd inning, a frame that would ultimately be enough to bury the Blaze.
The Ports weren't done, hitting a pair of solo homers late off Will Mathis, totalling five long-balls in the game to pile up all eight of their runs.
Meanwhile, a weary Blaze team was able to muster just two runs on four hits in the contest, scoring on a Tim Lopes triple and Kyle Petty double in the 1st inning, and on a Nelson Ward double and two grounders in the 5th off Ports starter Kyle Finnegan (W, 6-6).
The lone bright spot for Bakersfield was the middle relief work of the team's South Carolina representative. Emilio Pagan worked 3.1 innings of relief in the middle frames, allowing just one run. It would have been 3.2 if not for an errant throw from the infield, but certainly a nice performance to save an overworked bullpen additional harm.
The Blaze will happily turn the page to Monday evening when the team can get some rest and come back with a fresh tank. Brett Ash gets the nod on Monday night in a 7:10pm start. Fans can listen live at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio. Dan Besbris has the call.
California League Stories from July 20, 2015
- Tyler Horan Named California League Offensive Player of the Week - San Jose Giants
- High Desert Mavericks Monday Double-Header Game Time Changed - High Desert Mavericks
- Banner Island Ballpark Set to Host 2016 CCAA Baseball Championship - Stockton Ports
- Ports Blast Way to 8-2 Win - Stockton Ports
- Blaze Dingered to Death, 8-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Resilient Nuts Survive Storm in 5-4 Win - Modesto Nuts
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