Blaze Swept in Modesto, Drop Extra-Inning Affair
Published on May 7, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
With the temperatures cooling, two pitchers with very different styles went head-to-head in Modesto, and while neither starting pitcher factored into the extra-inning game, the Modesto Nuts had the last laugh, beating the Bakersfield Blaze 4-3 in walkoff fashion.
The game began quickly, with Modesto lefty Tyler Anderson utilizing an array of high-70's breaking stuff and 86 mile-per-hour fastballs to confuse the Blaze. A series of slow rollers later, Anderson had cruised through three innings on 41 pitches.
On the other side, Carlos Gonzalez, in his first start for the Blaze, used velocity and late life to blow away the team that leads all of professional baseball in strikeouts, the Nuts. Gonzalez fanned six of the first nine batters he faced, and after issuing two walks in the 4th around a pair of outs, Carlos hit his pitch limit and was lifted for Pat Doyle.
The new pitching matchup followed the old in similar fashion. Anderson allowed a two-out double in a scoreless 5th before setting the Blaze down in order in the 6th, and Doyle countered with a calm 5th inning.
The Nuts got on the board in a strange 6th. A line drive single to right from Tyler Massey was followed by an infield single from Taylor Featherston. Then, after a strikeout, Harold Riggins singled to right to drive in the first run of the inning. Trevor Story followed with a double to rightfield, scoring the second run, but on the play a trailing Modesto baserunner made contact with the third base coach, and was ruled out. A flyball ended the frame, but the Nuts led 2-0 after six innings.
The Nuts bullpen was called upon to handle the final three innings, and things got interesting. After Kraig Sitton worked a scoreless 7th, William Rankin ran into trouble in the 8th, issuing two walks. Closer Scott Oberg was summoned to end the mess, but a Kyle Waldrop 2-run double tied the game.
In the 9th, after Blaze relievers Wes Mugarian and Mike Dennhardt held the Nuts at bay, the Blaze took the lead on a single, a walk, and a throwing error on a bunt attempt. The Nuts, however, would not be denied, coming up with the tying run in the bottom of the 9th off Blaze closer Brian Pearl.
After a quick top of the 10th, with Nuts arm Nelson Gonzalez (W, 1-2) setting the Blaze down in order, Kyle McMyne (L, 0-2) came on for the second straight day, and after a walk and a wild pitch, Will Swanner played the hero, doubling over Yorman Rodriguez in center, and sending the Nuts home in walkoff fashion on the 10th inning.
The loss was the fifth in a row for Bakersfield, who heads home to start a 7-game homestand Tuesday night, beginning with three against San Jose. It's $23-Tuesday at the park, presented by Subway and KERO, so grab your family four packs now!
Can't make it? Listen to Dan Besbris call the action live at BakersfieldBlaze.com. First pitch is set for 7:30, with the pregame show beginning 10 minutes prior.
California League Stories from May 7, 2013
- Homestand Preview: May 7-May 13 - Lancaster JetHawks
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Travel to Bakersfield for Three-Game Series - San Jose Giants
- Granier Helps Ports to First Shutout Victory - Stockton Ports
- Team Effort Leads to Comeback Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Nuts Pull Away Late, Win Third Straight - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Rally Past Quakes in Homestand Finale, 6-5 - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Fail to Sweep in San Jose - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Blaze Swept in Modesto, Drop Extra-Inning Affair - Bakersfield Blaze
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