James Allen's Eight Shutout Propel Blaze to 1-0 Thriller
Published on June 5, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
On an eerily pleasant night in normally windy Adelanto, the Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks played to an eight-inning stalemate before Juan Silverio pumped a solo homer to left, and the Blaze held on to win a true battle, 1-0.
The game began with an array of double play grounders. After the Blaze failed to score with runners at the corners in the 1st, the Mavs put two on with one out, and promptly hit into a double play off Blaze starter James Allen (W, 4-5).
The twin-killings continued shortly thereafter, with the Mavs bouncing into another in the 2nd, and the Blaze hitting into one in the 3rd off Jordan Pries.
Bakersfield grounded into another in the 4th, this one proving relatively large in the early part of the game. In the inning, Marquez Smith reached on an error, Steve Selsky singled, and Dominic D'Anna walked to load the bases with one out, but Juan Silverio bounced into the 5-4-3 double play to end the threat.
Allen settled into a groove after the first two innings, allowing just a bunt single over the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, and taking care of the Mavs in the 5th inning in just two minutes!
After scuffling a tad early, Pries hit his stride and began to match Allen, retiring the last seven Blaze he faced before exiting after seven innings of scoreless ball, and this game turned into a fantastic pitchers duel.
Seon Gi Kim (L, 2-3) entered in the 8th for High Desert, and was dynamite for five outs, striking out five. But with two down in the 9th, and two strikes on Juan Silverio, Kim floated a slider, and Silverio broke out of a 0-for-17 slump with a solo shot to left, giving the Blaze a 1-0 lead.
Jamie Walczak (S, 2) came on in the bottom half for the second straight game, and delivered for a second straight day, setting down the side in order for back-to-back saves, and giving the Blaze a series victory with two 9th-inning victories.
The series with High Desert wraps up on Wednesday night at 7:05pm in Adelanto at High Desert Mavericks Stadium. Make sure to listen to Blaze broadcaster Dan Besbris (@DanBesbris on Twitter), as he brings you all the Wednesday evening Blaze action LIVE through the Blaze website at BakersfieldBlaze.com.
After Wednesday, the Blaze head home for seven games with Lake Elsinore and Visalia. The Fireworks Friday game on June 7th is already sold out, so get your tickets for Thirsty Thursday, Souvenir Saturday, or even Dollar Monday now and don't miss out on exciting Blaze baseball!
California League Stories from June 5, 2013
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- Butler Impresses as Nuts Defeat Giants - Modesto Nuts
- Quakes Look For Win In Series Finale On Wednesday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- James Allen's Eight Shutout Propel Blaze to 1-0 Thriller - Bakersfield Blaze
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