Blaze Win 6-4 Behind Wilson and O'Neill
August 3, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The vaunted middle-of-the-order for the Bakersfield Blaze took some time to click simlutaneously in 2015, but lately, Austin Wilson and Tyler O'Neill have been driving in runs in bunches, and on a warm Sunday evening in San Bernardino, the duo combined to drive in five of the team's six runs en route to a big 6-4 win over the Inland Empire 66ers.
Not to be lost in the offensive discussion is the fine bounce-back effort of Scott DeCecco, who worked 6.0 innings of two-run baseball and left with a 4-2 lead.
DeCecco ultimately was handed a no-decision as the Sixers plated the tying runs off Nick Valenza in the 8th.
Emilio Pagan (W, 3-8) came on to stop the bleeding in the 8th and worked the 9th to secure the win.
At the plate, the Blaze continued to put together solid at-bats against Inland Empire, one of two teams in the league against whom the Blaze have a winning record (now 4-3 after tonight's win).
The Blaze struck first, and last.
In the 1st inning Austin Wilson doubled home Aaron Barbosa with two outs for a 1-0 lead. Jay Baum followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Rayder Ascanio in the 2nd, and the Blaze moved in front by two.
Not done yet, Wilson's two run single in the 4th gave Bakersfield a 4-0 lead, and gave Wilson three RBI on the night.
The Sixers would score two off DeCecco in his final inning, and after the pen could not hold onto the lead, the game moved to the 9th tied at four runs apiece.
And Tyler O'Neill did it again. Tim Lopes roped a single with one out to put the go-ahead run aboard, and O'Neill followed by hooking a hanging Geoff Broussard (L, 2-2) breaking ball inside the left field foul pole for a two-run homer and a 6-4 lead.
The home run is the eighth in 11 games for O'Neill and gives him sole possession of first place in the California League with 24 homers on the season. The win is the second in a row for the Blaze, as well, who head to Lancaster to begin a three-game series with the Jethawks on the road on Monday.
All three games at the Hangar begin at 6:30pm with Dan Altavilla getting the ball in the opener. Make sure to tune in to listen to Dan Besbris live at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio.
California League Stories from August 3, 2015
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Seven-Game Road Trip Begins with Series in Modesto - San Jose Giants
- Bako Downs Sixers 6-4, Split Four-Game Set - Inland Empire 66ers
- Bako Downs Sixers 6-4, Split Four-Game Set - Inland Empire 66ers
- Blaze Win 6-4 Behind Wilson and O'Neill - Bakersfield Blaze
- JetHawks' Road Skid Reaches Nine After Sweep - Lancaster JetHawks
- Prime Triples Nuts to 6-4 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Moyer Comes Through in Walk-Off Win for Quakes - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Take Series from Ports with 6-2 Victory - San Jose Giants
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