Blaze Squeeze by Nuts in Final Meeting, 6-5
Published on August 17, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
On Simulcast Sunday in Modesto's John Thurman Field, the Bakersfield Blaze and Modesto Nuts played a see-saw affair that three ties through eight innings before the Blaze nibbled for a run in the 9th and held on for a finale-grabbing 5-4 win.
Brett Ash got the start for the Bakersfield Blaze, and worked seven innings giving up four runs. Brett left with a chance to win, though the story for Ash was efficiency. The Topeka native used just 74 pitches in those 7.0 innings, facing 29 batters, and, at one point, was averaging under two pitches per Modesto hitter in the middle part of the game.
The Blaze used three relievers in the 8th to try to preserve a 5-4 lead, though it slipped away. Kyle Schepel (W, 1-3) made sure the final lead did not, as the hard-throwing righthander got the final four outs of the ballgame to lock up the win.
Bakersfield scored one run in six different innings to get the win. In the 1st, Nelson Ward singled and later raced home on a wild pitch. In the 2nd, Ward worked the other end of the rally, banging a single into right to score Justin Seager.
In the 3rd, Chantz Mack slugged a solo homer for a run, and in the 4th, Seager's sacrifice fly scored Jay Baum, ending the night for Nuts starter Johendi Jiminian.
The Blaze got their fifth run in the 7th inning off Devin Burke when Kyle Petty singled to bring home Aaron Barbosa, but the most important, and final run of the evening came in the 9th off Troy Neiman (L, 3-2). Ward was hit by a pitch to begin the frame and sacrificed to second. An intentional walk was followed by a clever double-steal, forcing a second intentional pass to load the bases. Mack delivered a sacrifice fly for his second RBI of the game, and this one was the winner.
With the six game road trip in the rear view, the Blaze now head home for a quick three-game set with the Lake Elsinore Storm stretching from Monday through Wednesday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
The series begins in a 7:15pm start on Monday night, and it's One Dollar Monday, presented by Bakersfield Hyundai. It's one dollar to get in, and one dollar for hot dogs, with gates opening at 6:15pm.
Scott DeCecco takes the ball in the opener. Can't make it out? Listen to Dan Besbris call every moment live at BakersfieldBlaze.com or via the TuneIn Radio link.
California League Stories from August 17, 2015
- 66ers Fall 7-5 to Mavs, Lose Series - Inland Empire 66ers
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants, Ports to Play Three-Game Series in Stockton - San Jose Giants
- Ports End Visalia Vexing, Win 7-5 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Complete Perfect Home Schedule against Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Nuts Fall 6-5 to Blaze - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Rally Past JetHawks in Series Finale, 7-5 - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Squeeze by Nuts in Final Meeting, 6-5 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Rubber Game Slips Away in San Jose - Lancaster JetHawks
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