Blaze Swept in Doubleheader
May 7, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Hard rains prevented Bakersfield and Inland Empire from starting their series on Friday night, but on Saturday afternoon the 66ers were antsy to get things going.
Tim Arakawa set the tone early with a single and eventually scored in the first inning as the 66ers (8-21) jumped all over Tyler Pike (1-3) and the Blaze (12-16) in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday, 7-4. Pike's rough outing was a tougher hole for the Blaze to climb out of since the postponed game was cut to 7 innings in length. The left-hander last just 3.1 innings after giving up six earned runs off of five hits and five walks. Zach Welz was 2-3 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI, while Taylor Ward was also 2-3 with a run batted in during the victory.
Pike and Jeremy Rhoades opposed each other for the second time in a week, but this time Rhoades got the better of the encounter. Rhoades didn't go the required five innings, but continually got himself out of trouble despite walking seven batters in 4.1 innings.
As a team, Bakersfield earned 12 walks and yet they could only manufacture three hits. Justin Seager continues to swing the bat well by extending his season long hitting streak to six games after clubbing a towering shot to dead center field for a two-run homer. That cut Inland Empire's lead to 7-2 in the 4th. Seager's home run appeared to wake Bakersfield up, but the extra free passes were wasted as the team stranded 12 batters in the afternoon affair.
With the win, the 66ers snap a three-game losing streak to the Blaze. Keynan Middleton picked up his first win of the season and Eduardo Paredes earned his third save.
In game of the twin-bill, the Sixers copied their same mold from the opener, scoring early off Blaze starter Eddie Campbell (L, 2-2), and riding those runs to a 5-0 shutout victory.
Inland plated three runs in a pivotal 2nd inning, and two more in the 3rd, while Bakersfield continued to struggle to bring runners home.
In all, the Blaze stranded ten runners in game two, going a combined 0-for-17 with runners in scoring position in the two games.
For Inland Empire, a squad of relievers managed to hold the Blaze at bay. Four different pitchers went either one or two innings, with the second hurler Jordan Piche picking up the win to improve to 2-0.
Justin Seager extended his hitting streak to seven games with a hit in the 6th inning of the shortened game, and Daniel Torres reached base twice to pace the Blaze.
Also of note, the Blaze bullpen of Aaron Brooks and Osmer Morales combined to go 4.2 scoreless innings.
The series concludes on Monday afternoon with Andrew Moore facing Jake Jewell. It's Dollar Monday, where tickets, hot dogs, sodas and beers are each just one dollar. The Blaze can also be heard online at BakersfieldBlaze.com or via TuneIn Radio. David Gascon will have the call.
California League Stories from May 7, 2016
- Blaze Swept in Doubleheader - Bakersfield Blaze
- Hawks Tear Up Hide In 19-5 Rout - Lancaster JetHawks
- Win Streak at Six After 2-1 Victory over Storm - San Jose Giants
- Pike's Start Proves Costly in Defeat - Bakersfield Blaze
- Ports Earn First Shutout, Beat Nuts 7-0 - Stockton Ports
- Flores Goes Deep Twice in 14-7 Downing of JetHawks - Visalia Rawhide
- Duggar's Triple Lifts Giants to Fifth Straight Win - San Jose Giants
- Bats Silent in 7-0 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Visalia blasts four home runs and continues hot hitting ways - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Drop Second Straight on Friday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Completely FREE Baseball on Saturday at 12:30pm - Bakersfield Blaze
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