Blaze Keep Momentum Going in Sweep
May 1, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
No lead is ever safe in the Cal League and the Bakersfield Blaze (11-12) know that all too well. Tyler Pike (1-2) picked up his first win of the season and the Blaze grabbed their first sweep of the year by dropping the Inland Empire 66ers (5-19) at Sam Manuel Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 6-5.
It was another one-run affair for the Blaze, but not something they haven't seen before. Bakersfield completed the three-game series sweep of the 66ers by beating them in all three matchups by a single run.
A four run 5th inning doomed Inland Empire in the series finale and it was because of their defense on this occasion. Catcher Jose Briceno's throwing error to first base with the bags loaded provided the breathing room that Pike and Co. needed. Briceno's misfire scored Wawoe and Brock Hebert and then Jay Baum singled in Austin Cousino to make it 6-1. Ryan Horstman slammed the door shut with his second save in as many opportunities after the 66ers closed the gap to 6-5.
Hebert set the table again for the Blaze going 2-4 with a pair of runs scored and Gianfranco Wawoe contributed by going 2-3 with an RBI and scored a run.
Pike didn't have his best stuff on Sunday, but he left the ballgame after six innings with a 6-3 lead. The left-hander struck out five batters, walked three, and gave up two earned runs. Pike was able to settle down after giving up leadoff doubles in the first and second innings to Tim Arakawa and David Fletcher.
Arakawa did his best to get the 66ers back into the game going 3-4 with three runs scored, but Fletcher was the only other batter to have a multi-hit performance.
The win is the third consecutive of the season for the Blaze as they continue their season-high 10 game road trip in Rancho Cucamonga on Monday evening. Dan Besbris will be on the call with first pitch at 7:05pm. All the action can be heard on TuneIn Radio and BakersfieldBlaze.com.
California League Stories from May 1, 2016
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Continue Road Trip with Four-Game Series in Stockton - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Keep Momentum Going in Sweep - Bakersfield Blaze
- Blaze Overcome Late Rally, Sweep 66ers - Inland Empire 66ers
- 66ers Drop Extra Inning Affair 4-3 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Marincov's Blast Lifts Ports to Series Sweep - Stockton Ports
- Nuts Lose Pitcher's Duel 3-2 - Modesto Nuts
- Quakes Blanked Despite Bergjans' Gem - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Comeback Falls Short In Rubber Game At Diamond - Lancaster JetHawks
- Late Rally Falls Short, Giants Swept in Visalia - San Jose Giants
- Ports Spin Two-Hitter in 7-2 Victory - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Rally in 9th for Win over Mavs - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Rawhide Make It Six Straight with 3-1 Win over San Jose - Visalia Rawhide
- Mack Delivers Late with Blaze Thinking Sweep - Bakersfield Blaze
- Pitcher Zac Curtis Makes MLB Debut for Arizona - Visalia Rawhide
- Rawhide Make It Six Straight with 3-1 Win over San Jose - Visalia Rawhide
- Late Rally Dooms Nuts in Sixth Straight Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Drop Second Straight to Rawhide, 3-1 - San Jose Giants
- Late Homer, Seventh Inning Rally Sink Jethawks - Lancaster JetHawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
