(Blaze Recap) Blaze Drop Another Tight One, 4-3
Published on June 27, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The Bakersfield Blaze will be elated to see a game not decided by one run, as the Visalia Rawhide, in back-to-back games, knocked off the Blaze by a single tally on Tuesday night in Visalia - this time, 4-3.
The Blaze jumped out to the early lead this time, in stark contrast to the previous game. Tonight, Billy Hamilton got the activity going in the first with a bunt single and his 92nd stolen bag of the year. One out later, Bryson Smith collected an infield single, and Travis Mattair lined a rocket just inside the leftfield foul pole for a 3-run homer to put Bakersfield on top, 3-0. After that, however, Visalia starter Ray Hernandez settled down, allowing just a handful of hits over the next 5 innings, and departing after 6.2 strong.
On the other side, Josh Smith was slightly closer to human. Smith, the big righty on a fantastic run of 7 consecutive quality starts and 5 straight winning decisions, got tagged for 1 run in the 2nd on a 2-out single, and then 2 more in the 3rd on Jon Griffin's 12th homer of the year. Smith could last just 5.0 innings, ending his quality start string, but leaving with the game tied.
After Blaine Howell, fresh off the disabled list, worked out a series of jams in the 6th in 7th (including one that required his catcher Tucker Barnhart block the plate in a massive collision with Visalia's Griffin), the Rawhide grabbed the lead in the 8th. Andrew Brackman (L, 0-1) allowed a leadoff walk, and one out later an errant throw from Hamilton allowed the go-ahead run to score.
In the 9th, the Blaze put the leadoff man aboard when Devin Lohman drew a walk, but a Hamilton force play and a rare caught stealing for the speedster put the Blaze back on its heels, and D.J. Johnson (S, 2) wrapped up the win for Visalia by striking out Theo Bowe.
The loss is the second in a row for the Blaze, and drops the team back to 12 games over 500, still the best record in the California League. The Blaze is now 3-3 in the second half.
The series with Visalia wraps up Wednesday night at 7pm, with Bakersfield's Jamie Walczak taking on Visalia's Taylor Siemens in the finale. Tune in live at 6:55pm as Dan Besbris calls all the action on BakersfieldBlaze.com.
Then JOIN THE BLAZE at Sam Lynn Ballpark, as the team hosts the Modesto Nuts for three games, Thursday through Saturday!
California League Stories from June 27, 2012
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- 66ers Fall in 4-2 Final - Inland Empire 66ers
- Three Home Runs Propel Giants Past Ports - San Jose Giants
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- (Blaze Recap) Blaze Drop Another Tight One, 4-3 - Bakersfield Blaze
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