Blaze Rally from Five Down, Steal Finale 7-6
April 20, 2014 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In only 17 games, the 2014 Bakersfield Blaze have now rallied from three, four, and five runs down, and on Saturday night, a five-run 8th inning helped the club avoid a sweep and head into the first off day with a league-best 12-5 mark, beating the San Jose Giants 7-6.
As the series had gone, it continued early. The Giants came out of the gates like gangbusters, stroking four hits in the 1st inning off Drew Cisco for three runs, and adding two more in the 2nd on a Nick Noonan two-run homer.
Before the fans could even get their sodas, the Giants led, 5-0.
Bakersfield got one back in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Marquez Smith doubled (one of his three hits on the night), and two grounders later, he touched home.
From there, a vast series of goose-eggs took the game into the 7th. Cisco settled in nicely to go 5.2 frames after his night looked like it might end early, and Giants starter Joe Biagini was dynamite, allowing just a single run over six strong innings.
It was the Blaze bullpen and a late rally that made the difference. Brooks Pinckard allowed his first run of the year over 1.1 frames, pushing San Jose's lead back to five runs, and Jacob Johnson (W, 1-0) worked a scoreless 8th.
Meanwhile, the Blaze scratched a run across in the 7th on a John Tolisano walk, a Chris Berset double, and a Zach Vincej sacrifice fly, before a pivotal 8th inning.
Ryan Bradley, who had surrendered 10 runs to the Blaze over just 3.2 innings of relief this year, proved unable to deal with the Blaze again. He allowed that single run in the 7th, but could not record an out in the 8th. Jesse Winker walked to begin the 8th inning and Seth Mejias-Brean clubbed his third homer of the year to bring the Blaze to within 6-4. Kyle Waldrop followed with an infield single when Bradley was late covering first, and, after a pitching change to Ian Gardeck (L, 0-1), Smith singled to put the tying run aboard.
The next batting, Tolisano, was asked to sacrifice, and John dropped down a good bunt, which Gardeck fielded and promptly fired into the Blaze bullpen, scoring Waldrop and putting the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. Ryan Wright was called upon to pinch hit, and a rocket-shot to first scored the tying run from third (though a diving save by Brian Ragira prevented one or two additional runs), and after an intentional walk to Juan Perez, Juan Silva singled to left to put the Blaze on top.
In all, 11 batters came to the plate in the five-run 8th, and the Blaze turned a 6-2 hole into a 7-6 lead. Carlos Gonzalez (S, 3) tossed a one-two-three 9th for his third save of the year, preventing the Blaze from being swept, and heading into the first break of the season with the best mark in the league at 12 wins to 5 losses.
After an Easter off day (Happy Easter, everyone!), the Blaze head out on the road for another seven game trip through Modesto (for four), and San Jose (for three more). Monday's opener at John Thurman Field will feature the Nuts' Andrew Brown and the Blaze's Mike Dennhardt in a 7:05pm start.
Make sure to tune in to all seven road games and enjoy victory with Dan Besbris on the call. The pregame show on Monday will begin at 7:00 on the nose, and will be available on internet only through BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio.
California League Stories from April 20, 2014
- Stockton Snaps Skid with 3-1 Win - Stockton Ports
- Late Lead Slips Away in 7-6 Loss to Blaze - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Rally from Five Down, Steal Finale 7-6 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Nuts Strand 12 in 3-1 Loss - Modesto Nuts
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.
