Blaze Fall in Doubleheader to Division-Leaders
Published on June 14, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The red-hot Visalia Rawhide met the red-hot Bakersfield Blaze, and the visitors prevailed in a day-night doubleheader on Dollar Monday at Sam Lynn Ballpark, 3-1 and 11-6 (10 innings), while Visalia also moved to within one win of clinching the first half title.
For Bakersfield, Tyler Pike (L, 2-5) pitched well enough to win, giving up just three runs over six innings, but a two-run homer in the first for Domingo Leyba proved to be enough. The combination of three Rawhide pitchers - Nick Baker, Cameron Gann (W, 1-0) and Bud Jeter (S, 9) held Bakersfield to just one run with the help of three double plays on defense.
The game was just a seven inning contest, so the Blaze ran out of time to come back quickly.
The nightcap, however, proved much more eventful. In the resumption of a game that began back on April 9 but was suspended after just half an inning, the Blaze immediately took a 2-0 lead on Miller Diaz and the Rawhide, and Isaac Sanchez worked three scoreless frames to hold the advantage into the 5th.
But the Rawhide picked on Osmer Morales, scoring three times before he was able to record an out, an inning that also saw the Blaze Manager Eddie Menchaca and shortstop Drew Jackson ejected.
Cody Reed came on in the 2nd for the Rawhide and was stellar, not giving up a run through the 7th.
The never-quit Blaze fought back in the 8th, though. After Visalia scored two off Kyle Schepel in the top of the inning to take a 6-2 lead, the Blaze countered with four runs to tie it - Jay Baum's two-run single providing the big lift.
But the Blaze stranded two runners in the 9th in a chance to win it, and in the 10th, the Rawhide scored five off Vinny Nittoli (L, 2-2) to make a winner of Gabriel Moya (W, 2-0) and send the Blaze to defeat in both contests.
The series continues Tuesday at 7:45pm with Visalia sending big league rehab pitcher Shelby Miller to the mound. The Blaze will counter with Eddie Campbell, a lefty.
California League Stories from June 14, 2016
- Ports Sweep Twin-Bill, End Home Skid - Stockton Ports
- Blaze Fall in Doubleheader to Division-Leaders - Bakersfield Blaze
- Puig Powers Quakes to Win over Lancaster - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Skid Now At Five Games After Loss To Quakes - Lancaster JetHawks
- Late Run Lifts Giants to 2-1 Win over 66ers - San Jose Giants
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