JetHawks Wake up Late, Blaze Fall 8-5
July 2, 2013 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In what has become a troubling script against Lancaster, the Bakersfield Blaze raced out to an early lead only to see it slip away over the final three innings, and the Lancaster Jethawks snatched the opener of a three game series, 8-5, at the Hangar.
The Blaze wasted no time getting on the board, as Ryan Wright led off the ballgame with a solo shot to left, putting Bakersfield ahead of the Jethawks and Chris Devenski, 1-0.
Additional runs were delayed by just an inning.
In the 3rd, the Blaze added two on a Juan Silva homer with Juan Perez aboard, and in the 4th, Bakersfield tacked on another on a Yovan Gonzalez run-scoring single.
The Jethawks fought back in the bottom half, as Blaze starter Jon Moscot retired the first two batters, but each of the next five reached safely. Brandon Meredith's three-run shot was the big blow, and the Blaze lead was suddenly cut to just one.
Bakersfield did not wait around long to get a tiny bit of breathing room, scoring a single tally in the 5th off reliever T.J. Geith on singles from Juan Silverio and Juan Duran, and the club went back up, 5-3.
After five, the Blaze went to the pen, and Jimmy Moran promptly struck out the side in the 6th, and left with one out in the 7th with a runner aboard. And that, unfortunately, for the Blaze, is where things would begin to come apart.
Sean Lucas (L, 0-1) entered the game to face the lefthanded bats in the Jethawks lineup, and Lucas allowed four of the next five batters to reach, as the Jethawks snatched the lead away, going up 6-5.
Bakersfield threatened in the 8th off piggy-back starter Brady Rodgers (W, 6-5), getting a hit batter and two singles, but the club failed to score, and the Jethawks seemed to ride their momentum for the final two frames.
Lancaster added two in the bottom of the 8th off Pat Doyle, but those runs would prove to be superfluous, as the Blaze went 1-2-3 in the 9th, and lost the opener in tough fashion, 8-5.
The loss drops the Blaze to 3-2 on the current seven game road trip, with two more to go, and drops the club to 4-8 in the second half.
The three-game series with Lancaster continues Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the Antelope Valley.
On Tuesday evening, the Blaze will send reliable righthander James Allen to the hill, and the Jethawks will counter with Tyson Perez.
Don't miss a moment of Blaze action even when the team is on the road -- listen LIVE as the Voice of the Blaze Dan Besbris brings the call online at BakersfieldBlaze.com through the Gameday Audio link. The Blaze pregame show will fire up at 7:00pm, with Blaze baseball to follow!
California League Stories from July 2, 2013
- San Jose Giants Homestand Preview: July 4-July 9 - San Jose Giants
- Mavs to Host July 4th Extravaganza - High Desert Mavericks
- Ports Outlast Rawhide 9-7 in Series Opener - Stockton Ports
- Bullpen Can't Hold Late Lead in Loss to Giants - Modesto Nuts
- Late Offense Pushes Giants Past Modesto, 5-3 - San Jose Giants
- 66ers Hold off Quakes in Series Opener - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Inland Empire Improves to 11-2 Against Rival Rancho - Inland Empire 66ers
- Meredith Sparks 'Hawks Comeback Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- JetHawks Wake up Late, Blaze Fall 8-5 - Bakersfield Blaze
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
