Blaze Shellacked
Published on August 1, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
For the third time in four nights, the Bakersfield Blaze pitching staff ran into trouble and allowed double-digit runs, while a decent offensive output was well short in an 11-4 road loss at the hands of the Inland Empire 66ers on a warm Friday night.
The first three innings belied the final score, as Brett Ash (L, 4-8) allowed just a single run on three singles while the Blaze plated one of their own off Jordan Kipper (W, 5-7) when Nelson Ward tripled and came home on a Tim Lopes sacrifice fly.
In the 4th, a 1-1 game took a southern turn for the Blaze. In the home half of the 4th, the 66ers sent 12 batters to the plate, driving Brett Ash from the game while scoring six runs and building what would turn out to be an insurmountable 7-1 lead.
The Blaze slowly whittled away at the deficit.
Tyler O'Neill blasted his team-leading (and 2nd-best in the league) 22nd homer of the year in the 6th off Tyler Carpenter, a monster blast over the batter's eye in centerfield; Nelson Ward followed with a two-run single in the 7th, and the Blaze were within three runs.
But the Sixers roared back. After Kyle Schepel worked 2.1 scoreless innings, Aaron Brooks ran into trouble. Inland plated four runs in the home half of the 7th, pushing in front 11-4, and that is how it would come to a close.
In an odd twist, the Blaze allowed double digit runs yet again, the third time in four nights, and the pitching will look to get back on track on Saturday in a 7:05pm start at San Bernardino. Victor Alcantara gets the start for Inland, and the Blaze counter with recently reactivated Jake Zokan.
Listen to every pitch live online at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio. Dan Besbris has the call.
California League Stories from August 1, 2015
- Grand Slam in Fourth Sinks JetHawks - Lancaster JetHawks
- Blaze Shellacked - Bakersfield Blaze
- Big Innings Vault 66ers to Fourth Straight Win - Inland Empire 66ers
- Nuts Fall 9-2 against the Rawhide - Modesto Nuts
- Ragira's HR Burns Ports in 1-0 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Ragira's Home Run Lifts Giants to 1-0 Victory - San Jose Giants
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