Late Rally Falls Three Runs Short
May 11, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Playing from behind is a tough way to win a ballgame, and on a Wednesday morning School Day at Sam Lynn Ballpark, the Bakersfield Blaze fell behind the San Jose Giants early and could never quite recover, falling 7-4 in the middle game of the three-game set and the fifth game of the current ten game homestand.
The early innings were unkind to the Blaze, an unusual turn of events for a team that had mostly been outscoring its opposition in the first parts of the game. Tyler Herb (L, 3-1) struggled with his control in the first two innings, hitting two batters, and a couple Giants hits and a key error behind Herb later, the Blaze were down 3-0.
From there, though, Tyler hit his stride. After a one-out sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning, Herb faced an additional 17 batters and allowed just one baseball to leave the infield.
When all the numbers were tabulated at day's end, Herb worked 7.0 innings (for the third time on the year), giving up two earned runs while striking out five. The whiffs put Tyler back atop the California League in strikeouts at this point in the year.
Meanwhile, the surging San Jose Giants used six different pitchers to meander through the warm midday affair. Martin Agosta pitched the first four innings without allowing a run, and Jose Reyes (W, 1-0) followed by pitching the 5th and 6th.
The Blaze got on the board in the 7th on three singles, with Johmbeyker Morales picking up his first Cal League RBI on the play. But the narrowing of deficit lasted just moments as the Giants posted a four-spot against Aaron Brooks in the 8th, and the Blaze suddenly looked up at a six-run hole.
Bakersfield went down fighting. Four walks, a hit batsman and a single in the bottom of the 8th brought Bakersfield back to within three, but the club would not inch any closer. Reyes Moronta (S, 1) pitched a scoreless 9th and the Giants locked up their eighth win in nine games.
The Blaze homestand continues on Throwback Thursday 1956 Jersey Giveaway Night, with first pitch set for 7:15pm. Dan Besbris will have the radio call at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio.
California League Stories from May 11, 2016
- Visalia Blows Lead Late; Fall 6-5 to Stockton - Visalia Rawhide
- Ninth-Inning Rally Nets Ports 6-5 Victory - Stockton Ports
- Giants Top Blaze for Sixth Straight Road Win - San Jose Giants
- Late Rally Falls Three Runs Short - Bakersfield Blaze
- Ports to Go Silent for Communication Disorder Awareness - Stockton Ports
- Season's Biggest Frame Sends Ports Past Rawhide - Stockton Ports
- Locastro Hits for Cycle in Quakes' Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Hang on for 4-3 Victory over Blaze - San Jose Giants
- Late Strike Drops Nuts 3-2 - Modesto Nuts
- Laureano Reaches Four Times In 12-1 Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
- Blaze Offense Stuck in Park - Bakersfield Blaze
- Stockton Open Series with 11-3 Win - Visalia Rawhide
- Storm Snap Sixers' Streak - Inland Empire 66ers
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