Blaze Unable to Solve Puzzle in Defeat to Rawhide
Published on July 9, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Justin Donatella threw seven strong innings in his Visalia debut as the Rawhide beat the Bakersfield Blaze, 2-1.
With the loss, Bakersfield falls to 49-37 this season with 11 of those defeats coming at the hands of the Rawhide.
Visalia continued its dominating trend by improving their record to 11-1 head-to-head against the Blaze this year, but it was another dogfight until the end.
With Anthony Misiewicz and Donatella stuck in a pitchers duel, neither team generated any kind of momentum through 6 1/2 innings of play.
And then...Misiewicz finally blinked.
Henry Castillo hit a 3-2 breaking ball to deep left field for his 8th home run of the year with nobody on and one out to give the Rawhide their first lead at 2-1.
It was the only mistake Misiewicz made in another impressive outing, but his offense couldn't come up with any late magic even when they had a chance.
Tyler Marlette led the ninth inning off with a double into the right-center field gap off of closer Bud Jeter (S, 14). With Marlette at second, Jay Baum laid down an excellent sacrifice bunt that pushed Marlette over to third base. With the tying run just 90-feet away, Joe DeCarlo came up with the hope of making it a brand new game. With the infield playing up, DeCarlo hit a fly ball to right field and Stryker Trahan. Marlette tested Trahan's arm in right field, but found out the hard way that the fly ball wasn't quite deep enough. Trahan's throw was a one-hop to catcher Michael Perez who applied the tag and ended the game.
Misiewicz (L, 5-7) gave up two runs in eight innings of work, while striking out five batters and surrendering six hits.
Donatella (W, 1-0) maximized his evening by throwing 104 pitches and striking out six in seven innings.
In what could be a playoff preview, the Blaze will need to find some offense in a hurry against a Visalia pitching staff that has completely stifled them. In 12 games so far, Bakersfield is hitting a collective .236 with only 35 runs scored. To make matters worse, the Rawhide have only yielded just 29 earned runs throughout this one-sided affair.
The two teams will meet for Game 2 on Saturday night in Visalia. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm with David Gascon on the call courtesy of TuneIn Radio and BakersfieldBlaze.com
California League Stories from July 9, 2016
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- Ports Cruise Past Giants to Even Series - San Jose Giants
- Giants Surge Late, Beat Ports 11-7 - Stockton Ports
- 66ers Shutout for First Time in 2016 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Blaze Unable to Solve Puzzle in Defeat to Rawhide - Bakersfield Blaze
- Eight-Run Inning Propels Giants Past Ports - San Jose Giants
- Henry Castillo Hits Eighth Home Run to Win It 2-1 - Visalia Rawhide
- Nuts Comeback Spoiled in Extras - Modesto Nuts
- Quakes Blast Mavs - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Lancaster 4, Inland Empire 0 - Lancaster JetHawks
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