Blaze Stymied in High Desert, Drop Opener 4-2
Published on July 17, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In an odd twist, a pitchers' duel in High Desert, and in a hard-fought ballgame, the Mavericks scraped by the Bakersfield Blaze on Tuesday night by the final score of 4-2.
A stadium that normally produces wild, offensive theatrics, tonight gave us one of the three shortest games of the Blaze season, as Tanner Robles and Taylor Stanton went back and forth, only to have the game decided by a true High Desert pop-homer. How did it happen?
In the first inning, the Blaze jumped out. Dominic D'Anna walked with 2 outs off Stanton (W, 4-1), and Travis Mattair followed with a booming 2-run homer to left, Mattair's 15th of the season, and the Blaze led, 2-0. That, however, would be it for Bakersfield all night, as the Blaze was held to just 3 hits over the final eight innings.
On the other side, Tanner Robles (L, 1-1) continued his strong start with Bakersfield, but was burned one time too many by bad luck.
In the first inning, the Mavs got a run back on a triple and a bloop single to bring the score to 2-1. Then, three innings later, Brad Miller hit what appeared to be a routine fly to left that just kept going and finally squeaked over the fence for a classic High Desert homer, tying the score at 2.
The tie did not last long. In the very next inning, Mario Martinez connected on a much more legitimate homer to leftcenter, giving the Mavs the lead for good.
High Desert's pen of Andrew Kittredge and Carson Smith combined on 3 shutout innings, and while High Desert added an unearned insurance run in the 8th, it would not be necessary. The Blaze had just one true chance to score late, getting a single and 2 walks in the 8th, but a pickoff and a grounder ended the inning.
The loss drops the Blaze to 12-14 in the second half and 53-43 overall, but the team still has two chances to grab wins in High Desert Wednesday and Thursday.
Listen live on Wednesday night as Dan Besbris calls all the action at 6:55pm with the pregame show. Chad Rogers will oppose James Gilheeney in a matchup of studs. First pitch is set for 7:05pm.
California League Stories from July 17, 2012
- Blaze Stymied in High Desert, Drop Opener 4-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Storm Lose Late, Defeated 5-4 - Lake Elsinore Storm
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Travel to Lancaster for Three-Game Series - San Jose Giants
- Errant Throw Ends Duel in Extras - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Pitching Shines in 5-1 Win - San Jose Giants
- Crabbe Dominates Quakes in Finale, 8-1 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Haren Finishes Five, 66ers Win 5-4 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Quakes Return Home After 1-2 Road Trip - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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