Campbell Cruises, Blaze Win 4-1
May 14, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Eddie Campbell worked into the 6th inning before allowing a hit, Chantz Mack slugged an early homer, and the Bakersfield Blaze escaped trouble late to grab a win over the visiting Stockton Ports on Friday night at Ol' Sam Lynn.
Campbell (W, 3-2) had his arsenal darting right from the outset, picking up a strikeout of the leadoff batter in each of his first three shutout innings. The lefty briefly ran into some trouble in the 4th and 5th due to walks, but each time he emerged unscathed.
After 5.0 innings, Eddie had struck out five and walked five but had not allowed a Ports base hit. Leading off the 6th, a grounder wiggled into centerfield to break up the no-hit bid, but Campbell bounced right back by inducing a double play grounder to finish his evening. Campbell's final line: 6.0 innings pitched, no runs, one hit.
Vinny Nittoli made his Blaze debut in the 7th with a scoreless frame, but ran into a mess in the 8th, allowing two doubles and a walk before being lifted for Blaze closer Isaac Sanchez (S, 2). Sanchez hit a batter to load the bases upon entry, but got the next two Ports to successfully navigate the mess.
The fun didn't end there. With two outs and the bases empty in the 9th, Sanchez allowed a single and walked two, loading the bases for a second straight inning, but Isaac once again found a way to get the key out, and the Blaze were able to hold on for a skid-snapping win.
Offensively, the Blaze did most of their damage early against Ports starter Casey Meisner (L, 0-5). Chantz Mack slugged his third homer of the year in the 2nd, and the Blaze capitalized on Aaron Barbosa's speed, a run-producing single from Kyle Petty and a windblown double from Mack to pad their early lead to 3-0.
The final Blaze run scored in the 7th off Ports reliever Matt Stalcup. Drew Jackson singled and moved to third on an error before Barbosa's flyball brought him home.
The win snaps a six game losing streak, and the Blaze will look to build on it with Andrew Moore set to take the hill on Fireworks Saturday at Sam Lynn. First pitch is set for 7:15pm. Dan Besbris has the radio call at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via the TuneIn Radio app.
California League Stories from May 14, 2016
- First-Inning Outburst Wasted in 11-7 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Ports Lack Clutch Hitting in 4-1 Loss to Blaze - Stockton Ports
- Campbell Cruises, Blaze Win 4-1 - Bakersfield Blaze
- High Desert Homers Twice In 7-2 Win - Visalia Rawhide
- Howard Delivers the Nuts Second Straight Win - Modesto Nuts
- Quakes Improve to 7-0 against Inland Empire - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Drop Series Opener to Nuts, 5-2 - San Jose Giants
- Lancaster defeats Lake Elsinore - Lancaster JetHawks
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