California Dreaming for Cowan and Blaze
July 3, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Jordan Cowan landed in Sacramento, California on Saturday afternoon not knowing what to expect once he joined his teammates down in Modesto.
After 15 innings of baseball at John Thurman Field, Cowan might have a better idea.
Cowan's RBI single into center field broke a 3-3 tie and the Bakersfield Blaze (45-35) won their fifth game in a row by defeating the Modesto Nuts (30-50) 5-3.
A day after Bakersfield erupted for 16 runs courtesy of eight Modesto errors, things appeared to be pointing that way again.
The Blaze struck for three runs in the first two innings against Jack Wynkoop before the southpaw found his groove.
Wynkoop struck out a career-high nine batters in 5.2 innings, but was trailing 3-1 after 5 1/2 innings.
Vinny Nittoli came in for starting pitcher Art Warren and found himself in some trouble with the bases loaded and just one out. Omar Carrizales hit what should've been an inning-ending double play ball to third baseman Joe DeCarlo, but DeCarlo hesitated twice on where he wanted to go with the ball allowing Drew Weeks to score. With the bases still loaded and one out, Forrest Wall hit a groundball to Gianfranco Wawoe that brought home Josh Fuentes and tied the game at 3-3.
Neither team was able to generate any kind of offense, until the ugly side of Modesto's defense showed its face again.
Leading off the 15th inning, Aaron Barbosa hit a ball through a hole on the left side of the infield and into left field for a base hit....
Or so most people thought.
Barbosa's groundball got past left fielder Max White, allowing Barbosa to advance two additional bases with nobody out.
With the entire infield playing up, Cowan got his chance to play hero.
Cowan hit a rocket off shortstop Emerson Jimenez's glove and into centerfield for a base hit. Barbosa came in easily to score and Cowan pick up his first RBI with his new team making it 4-3.
Having just been promoted to Bakersfield from Everett, Cowan acclimated himself nicely to a grueling affair. The young shortstop finished the night going 1-6 with the RBI and a run scored as Bakersfield picked up their 15th road win in their last 16 games.
The Blaze now have their collective eyes set on a sweep as Game 4 is Sunday evening in Modesto. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm with David Gascon on the call. All the action can be heard on TuneIn Radio and BakersfieldBlaze.com.
California League Stories from July 3, 2016
- Giants Suffer 4-3 Loss, Split Series in Visalia - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Hand Ports Sixth Straight Loss - Stockton Ports
- California Dreaming for Cowan and Blaze - Bakersfield Blaze
- Nuts Lose Marathon 5-3 - Modesto Nuts
- Lugo Hits 12th Home Run of the Season in Losing Effort - Visalia Rawhide
- Giants Earn Second Straight Win over Rawhide, 7-5 - San Jose Giants
- Nuts Lose Marathon 5-3 - Modesto Nuts
- Lugo Hits 12th Home Run of the Season in Losing Effort - Visalia Rawhide
- Giants Earn Second Straight Win over Rawhide, 7-5 - San Jose Giants
- Rancho Wins Third Straight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Mavericks Stun Sixers for Third Straight Night - Inland Empire 66ers
- Rancho Wins Third Straight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
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