Blaze Pickled in 7-5 Loss to Ports
Published on April 15, 2014 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
On a windless night in Stockton, the Bakersfield Blaze fell behind big early, and made it interesting late before ultimately having the final out recorded in a rundown, and the Stockton Ports grabbed the opener of a three-game series by the final score of 7-5 at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton.
Facing Ports starter Tim Atherton (W, 1-0) for the second time in a week, the Blaze figured to have their hands full, and after a quick start for the bats, Atherton took control.
Neither team scored in the 1st, but the Blaze took their only lead of the game in the top of the 2nd when John Tolisano singled, and Juan Perez slugged his second homer of the season, a line drive shot to right, putting Bako on top, 2-0.
The Ports charged right back, and never trailed the rest of the way. Drew Cisco (L, 1-1), who was outstanding in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th, ran into big trouble in the 2nd and 5th.
In the 2nd inning, the bottom half of the Ports lineup came up with two singles, a double and a triple for three runs to lead 3-2; in the 5th, the Ports opened the frame with five consecutive singles to beef up their lead to 5-2.
It was the play that occurred after a pitching change that may have sealed the game. With the bases still loaded and one out, Chad Pinder hit a slow roller to third. The Blaze attempted to turn a double play, but Pinder beat the return throw to first base. Two runners came around to score on the groundout, putting Stockton up, 7-2, a lead that would prove insurmountable.
The Blaze got a run off Tucker Healy in the 7th on a Yovan Gonzalez double and Juan Silva single to trim the deficit to 7-3, and almost made it interesting in the 9th.
With Nolan Sanburn on the hill and two outs, Zach Vincej walked, and moved to second on defensive indifference. Jon Matthews, in his first at-bat as a Blaze, singled in Vincej to bring up Jesse Winker. Winker hit a pop-up a mile high, and a small breeze blew the ball away from the Ports infield, allowing Matthews to score. In the commotion, Winker got himself caught in a rundown, and the game eventually ended when Matt Olson tagged out Winker.
The pickling end drops the Blaze to 9-3 and ends a short three game winning streak, with two more to go here at Banner Island Ballpark.
The series continues on Tuesday at 7:10pm, with Mike Dennhardt getting the nod for the Blaze, and Manny Correa for the Ports. Make sure to listen to the Blaze go for their 10th win of the season LIVE, as Dan Besbris brings the call via the audio links at BakersfieldBlaze.com and through TuneIn Radio. The pregame show begins at 7:05pm.
California League Stories from April 15, 2014
- Rawhide Homestand Preview: April 17-19 - Visalia Rawhide
- Mike Bolsinger Becomes Visalia's 250th MLB Alum - Visalia Rawhide
- Nuts Threaten But Cannot Overcome in 4-2 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Clutch Ruiz Puts up Big Night in Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
- Four-Run Fifth Takes Ports to 7-5 Win - Stockton Ports
- Giants Shutout by 66ers, Lose Fourth in a Row - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Pickled in 7-5 Loss to Ports - Bakersfield Blaze
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