Blaze Surrender 7-Run Lead, Hang on 12-11
Published on July 2, 2014 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Never a dull moment for the Bakersfield Blaze these days, as the Blaze rolled into Visalia, and despite blowing a 6-run and 7-run lead at various junctures in the contest, the Blaze managed to score a late tally and hang on, 12-11, on Tuesday night in Visalia.
The Blaze got off to a quick start, as Jeff Gelalich singled with two outs in the first, and Sean Buckley followed with an RBI double. Sebastian Elizalde followed with a two-run homer, his first as a Blaze, and Bako led 3-0.
Wandy Peralta worked a quick bottom half, and the Blaze went right back to work. Juan Perez doubled, John Tolisano walked, and new Blaze Sammy Diaz ripped a three-run shot to left for a 6-0 early edge.
The contest had a long way to go. Visalia scored two in the 3rd, and two unearned runs in the 4th, moving to within 6-4.
In the 5th, both starters got knocked out. The Blaze tagged Spencer Arroyo for four more, and another off Keith Hessler in relief to grab an 11-6 lead. Buckley's two-run double bringing in Zach Vincej and Gelalich marked a key hit in the frame, and later, Perez tripled in a run, Tolisano doubled in another, and Diaz singled home the fifth and final tally in the inning.
But the Rawhide countered with a four-spot, ending the night for Peralta and bringing the home team to within 11-8.
A couple of zeroes followed, but the Rawhide got even in the 7th with three off Mike Dennhardt.
The 8th inning proved to be the difference in the game. With Cody Wheeler (L, 3-4) on the hill, Buckley singled, and was wild pitched to third. Then, with two outs, Perez squirted a roller up the middle for an infield single, scoring Buckley for the 12-11 lead.
And the back end of the Blaze pen stepped up. Kyle McMyne (W, 4-1) worked 1.1 scoreless between the 7th and 8th, and Ben Klimesh (S, 3) struck out the side in the 9th for the save.
The win is the sixth in eight games for the Blaze, bouncing back from a slow start to the second half to move back to break even post-break at 6-6. The team also moves back to 20 games over 500 overall at 51-31, with two more to go in Visalia on the current road trip.
The series continues Wednesday evening at 7:00pm with Mikey O'Brien taking the hill for the Blaze and Aaron Blair for the Rawhide. Fans can listen to every pitch live on BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio as Dan Besbris brings the call via the internet. Pregame show begins 5 minutes before first pitch.
California League Stories from July 2, 2014
- Rawhide Host Childhood Cancer Research Fundraiser - Visalia Rawhide
- Late Surge Lifts Ports over JetHawks 7-5 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Top Mavs for Four-Game Lead in South - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Top Modesto, Extend Win Streak to Four - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Surrender 7-Run Lead, Hang on 12-11 - Bakersfield Blaze
- JetHawks Docked by Ports Late Rally - Lancaster JetHawks
- Nuts Drop Series Opener 7-3 - Modesto Nuts
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