Blaze Open Second Half with a Blast, Beat Rancho 12-2
Published on June 22, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze, clearly refreshed from a four day layoff, took to the streets of Rancho Cucamonga, and clobbered the Quakes in runaway fashion, 12-2.
The Blaze started quickly, and after a brief tie at the end of the first inning, never looked back.
In the top of the first, the Blaze took a 1-0 lead on a single, a walk, and an error, but Rancho came back to tie in the bottom half on 2 singles and a walk. From that point forward, Bakersfield was on a mission.
In the second inning, in his first at-bat with the Blaze, Steve Selsky slugged an opposite-field homer to put the Blaze on top 2-1. Tucker Barnhart followed with a double, and scored 3 batters later on a Billy Hamilton single.
In the third, the Blaze added 1 more on a Travis Mattair homer, and in the 4th, after Quakes starter Zach Lee (L, 2-3) was forced out early, Selsky homered again, this time off JonMichael Redding to put Bakersfield up 5-1.
That would be more than enough for Josh Smith (W, 6-4), who pitched 6.2 quality innings, allowing just 2 runs, and securing his fifth consecutive winning decision.
Late in the game, the Blaze made it a laugher. In the 7th inning, Bakersfield put together a 4-hit rally to produce 2 runs; in the 8th, the Blaze added 3; and in the 9th, Tucker Barnhart slugged a 2-run homer to put Bakersfield up 12-2, the final margin.
In all, the Blaze amassed 18 hits, one shy of the single-game mark for 2012, and Tucker Barnhart tied a Blaze single-game high with 5 hits. Billy Hamilton had 4 hits of his own, driving in 3 runs and stealing bags 81 and 82 in the easy victory.
The series continues Friday night at 7:05pm, with Dodgers rehabber Blake Hawksworth getting the start for the Quakes, and Jamie Walczak taking the ball for the Blaze.
Tune in to hear all the action LIVE on BakersfieldBlaze.com or locally on SmartTalk 1230AM, the home of the Blaze game of the week. Dan Besbris will handle the play by play at 6:55pm.
California League Stories from June 22, 2012
- Bakersfield Cannot Weather 6-Run Inning, Loses 8-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
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- Oh What a Night: Storm Win 14-1 - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Giants Rout Visalia in Second Half Opener - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Open Second Half with Home Loss - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Heath Knocks Four Homer in Lopsided Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
- Inland Empire Drops 2nd Half Opener - Inland Empire 66ers
- Blaze Open Second Half with a Blast, Beat Rancho 12-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
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