Late Rally Begets Narrow Loss in Lancaster
April 27, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The scratching, clawing, and at times homer-slugging Bakersfield Blaze mounted a furious late rally in the cold winds of the Antelope Valley, but the season's demon - one-run losses - bit the club once more, falling to the host Lancaster Jethawks 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Tyler Pike (L, 0-2) continued his unlucky start to 2016, striking out seven batters over 5.0 innings of work while allowing just two earned runs, but left with his club trailing 3-0.
Meanwhile, Jethawks starter Evan Grills (W, 2-0) worked 5.0 no-hit innings before coming out due to the Houston Astros innings limiting of their young starting pitchers.
The Blaze went to work in the 6th. With other-starter Elieser Hernandez on the hill, Drew Jackson plunked a single into right before Austin Wilson catapulted a two-run homer onto Avenue I beyond the leftfield wall. The Blaze trailed just 3-2.
But the Jethawks countered with two in the home half off Aaron Brooks, pushing the lead back to three.
Bakersfield posted the third straight two-spot on the scoreboard in the 7th, and this time it was the power bat of Austin Cousino, tomahawking a shot over the wall in rightfield and bringing the Blaze to within just a 5-4 margin.
The Blaze would not clear the hump. Riley Ferrell (S, 4) got the final five outs for the save, working around two singles and a wild pitch in the 9th to strand the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.
The series continues on Wednesday with game two of the club's season-long ten-game road trip. Eddie Campbell gets the start, with first pitch set for 6:35pm in Lancaster.
Listen live on TuneIn Radio and at BakersfieldBlaze.com. Dan Besbris has the call.
California League Stories from April 27, 2016
- Quakes Edge Sixers in Ten Innings - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Banner Island Ballpark to Host 2016 WCC Baseball Championship - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Down Sixers 9-2 Behind Offensive Prowess - Inland Empire 66ers
- Late Rally Begets Narrow Loss in Lancaster - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes Rip Sixers on Tuesday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Seven-Run Inning Propels Giants to Blowout Win - San Jose Giants
- Rawhide Take Advantage of Nuts Mis-Step - Visalia Rawhide
- Seven-Run Inning Dooms Ports in 11-2 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Grills Baffles Blaze In Series Opening Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Two Homers Not Enough in Ten-Inning Loss - Modesto Nuts
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