Blaze Drop Smoky Opener with Storm, 3-1
August 18, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
With prevailing winds wafting clouds of smoke from fires along the Central Coast through Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Blaze and Lake Elsinore Storm slogged through a low-scoring Monday night affair at Sam Lynn Ballpark, with Elsinore riding one big inning to a series-opening 3-1 win.
The ballgame came down to a stretch of four batters in the top of the 4th inning. With two outs and a runner on first base, Scott DeCecco (L, 1-2) appeared to be in control, but the bottom four hitters in a struggling Storm offense all clicked at the perfect moment, stringing four straight singles together to plate three runs that, at the time, gave Lake Elsinore a 3-0 lead.
The lead is one they would hang onto throughout, as four Storm hurlers combine to hold Bakersfield at bay. Though, not without plenty of chances for the Blaze.
Bakersfield put two runners on base in four separate innings, but only managed to plate one. Three runners were caught trying to steal and another fell down while rounding second base, and those opportunities slipping through the cracks doomed a tired Blaze team to a loss.
Offensively, Nelson Ward reached base three more times, and Jay Baum has been aboard four times in the last two contests, though the team's only run came when Chantz Mack singled, stole second, moved to third on an error and scored on a grounder in the 7th, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
Matt Shepherd (W, 4-8) ends up getting the win for the Storm, pitching into and out of trouble over six scoreless innings, and Ryan Butler, Eric Yardsley and Jason Jester (S, 5) each pitched an inning to lock up the contest.
The series with Lake Elsinore continues on Tuesday night at Sam Lynn in another 7:15pm start time on ScholarShare Family Night, where fourpacks of tickets, dogs and a program are just $20. Gates open at 6:15pm.
Can't make it? Listen online at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via the TuneIn Radio app as Dan Besbris has the call.
California League Stories from August 18, 2015
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- Ports Score Six in First Inning, Blowout Giants - San Jose Giants
- Nuts Crack Four Homers in 13-12 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Quakes Get Impressive Win over Mavs for Fifth Straight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Blaze Drop Smoky Opener with Storm, 3-1 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Martes Dominates for Third Straight Win - Lancaster JetHawks
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