Blaze fall to Visalia
April 8, 2012 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In what can only be described as the season's first "full moon" affair, the Bakersfield Blaze fell to the Visalia Rawhide, 5-4, on Blaze Magnet Schedule Souvenir Saturday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
The game began strangely, and never really straightened out. The first 2 innings took nearly 80 minutes, with each starting pitcher putting 6 baserunners aboard. The Rawhide managed just a single run in those frames, while the Blaze grabbed a slight 2-1 edge.
A Yazy Arbelo 2-run homer off Blaze starter Josh Smith (L, 0-1) for the Rawhide put Visalia up 3-2, and then the game's weirdness hit a climax. In the top of the 5th inning, with Visalia ahead 4-2, Blaze reliever Pat Doyle hit the Rawhide's Chris Valencia with a slider in the dirt. After a stare-down, both teams were issued warnings by home plate umpire Blake Felix. The very next pitch was a high fastball, and when Rawhide leadoff man Keon Broxton started to move toward the pitcher's mound, Doyle was ejected (and with him, Blaze manager Ken Griffey Sr).
The Rawhide would get 1 run in the inning, and subsequent Blaze relievers Jamie Walczak, Dan Wolford and Brian Pearl held the Rawhide at bay, but 5 runs was 1 too many. Bakersfield got a run in the bottom half on a Billy Hamilton RBI double, and another on Donald Lutz's colossal solo shot to center off eventual winning pitcher Ray Hernandez (W, 1-0), but Visalia's closer Bo Schultz (S, 1) tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save.
The series concludes tomorrow on Easter (and Chevy Youth Baseball's) Kids Club Sunday, where Kids Club members get in free, run the bases after the game, and have an Easter egg hunt! The Ports then come to town for 3 starting on Dollar Monday. Tony Cingrani will go for the Blaze, and Mike Bolsinger for the Rawhide -- first pitch is scheduled for 1:15pm. The game is available on internet only, with the pregame show beginning at 7:05pm exclusive at BakersfieldBlaze.com.
California League Stories from April 8, 2012
- Giants Shutout Nuts to Take Opening Series - San Jose Giants
- Lilly Struggles in 7-1 Loss - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Blaze Take Win, Series Split Sunday - Bakersfield Blaze
- Giants Suffer 4-2 Loss to Modesto - San Jose Giants
- Blaze fall to Visalia - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes Earn First "W" of Year with 5-4 Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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