Duran's Blast Powers Blaze, 8-6
Published on July 31, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
A big 5th inning turned what was once a three-run deficit into a Bakersfield Blaze lead that the club never relinquished, beating the Modesto Nuts 8-6 and turning the Wednesday evening game into a rubber match.
Shane Dyer (W, 5-4) got the starting nod for the Bakersfield Blaze, and early on, the going was tough. After two quick innings on both sides, the Nuts came up with three hits and a walk in the 3rd to grab a 2-0 lead.
In the very next inning, Modesto pushed their edge to 3. With one out, Tyler Massey doubled to right, and a pair of wild pitches later in the frame brought him around.
From there, the Blaze turned up the heat, outscoring the Nuts 8-3 over the remainder of the game. In the bottom of the 4th inning, Steve Selsky and Kyle Waldrop each smacked solo homers off Nuts starter Dan Winkler (L, 12-5), cutting the Blaze deficit to just 3-2.
And, after Modesto added one on a Harold Riggins homer in the 5th, the Blaze took the lead for good. With one out, five consecutive Blaze reached base, with Juan Silverio driving in one on a single, and Juan Duran slugging the big hit, a three-run homer to center, ending the night for Winkler and putting the Blaze on top, 6-4.
The start was the roughest of the year for Winkler, who lost his third in a row to the Blaze.
Dyer ended his night going six innings, and Jimmy Moran was summoned for the 7th and 8th. The Blaze defense let two unearned runs score during Moran's tenrue, but Jimmy struck out five, and the Blaze offense added two in the bottom of the 7th off Patrick Johnson to preserve the lead.
Pat Doyle (S, 8) pitched the 9th for the Blaze, striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning.
The win marks the third straight series the Blaze have lost the opener and won the middle game, forcing the finale into a rubber match. The Blaze will send Jacob Johnson to the hill in a spot start, and the Nuts will counter with righthander Ben Alsup.
First pitch is set for 7:30 on Goodwill Wednesday; gates open at 6:30pm, and fans bringing donation items get a buy-one-get-one-free offer from Goodwill.
Can't make it? Listen to Dan Besbris live via the Gameday Audio link at BakersfieldBlaze.com. The pregame show begins at 7:25pm, with Blaze baseball to follow.
California League Stories from July 31, 2013
- Ports Announce 2014 Regular Season Schedule - Stockton Ports
- 66ers Slow Down Quakes on Tuesday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Russell, Alcantara Spark 8-2 Ports Win - Stockton Ports
- Big Inning Pushes Blaze Past Modesto - Modesto Nuts
- 66ers Take out I-10 Rivals by 10 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Bullpen Weathers Storm, Backs up Shirley - Lancaster JetHawks
- Visalia's Late Home Run Drops Giants in Series Opener - San Jose Giants
- Duran's Blast Powers Blaze, 8-6 - Bakersfield Blaze
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