Mack's Homer, Bullpen Push Streak to Three
May 28, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Unlike the last time these two teams got together for a series, Bakersfield made the most of their opportunities. The last time the Blaze and 66ers played a three-game, Bakersfield was an alarming 0-31 with runners in scoring position.
On Friday night, the script was anything but the same.
Inland Empire and Bakersfield combined to score 14 runs in the first four innings of play before the contest settled down.
It was the perfect start for the Blaze as they scored three runs in the first inning to give Tyler Pike an early lead after one. Pike had a roller coaster evening after surrendering seven runs in just four innings of work. The left-hander managed to strike out nine batters, but walked five and gave up five hits.
The 66ers got the better of Pike in the fourth inning when Wade Wass connected on a two-run homer to give the I.E. a 6-3 advantage. It became 7-3 when Tim Arakawa singled to left field scoring Zach Welz.
On this night, a four run lead was not safe against a Blaze team playing with a great deal of confidence.
The rally started when Joe DeCarlo walked with one out in the inning. Back-to-back singles by Brock Hebert and Aaron Barbosa scored DeCarlo to make it 7-4. Jeremy Rhoades' wild pitch allowed Hebert to score and get the club within two. Baum singled home one, and Kyle Petty's double into the left-center field gap scored Jay Baum to lock things up at seven.
The game remained tied until the seventh inning and that's when Chantz Mack took center stage. Ahead in the count 1-0 and with nobody on base, Mack crushed a 92mph fastball 390ft to right field for a late 8-7 lead.
The Blaze bullpen was truly masterful when the team needed it most. Aaron Brooks (W, 1-1) faced nine batters, retiring all nine on eight groundouts and a swinging strikeout. Jake Zokan worked a spotless 8th, and Vinny Nittoli (S, 1) pitched a perfect 9th, completing a night when the Blaze relievers retired all 15 Sixers batters faced.
The loss goes to Keynan Middleton (L, 1-1), who surrendered Mack's go-ahead homer in the 8th.
The win is the third in a row for a streaking Blaze team that has now won eight of 11 to move back to within just four games of the 500-mark.
The series with Inland Empire continues on Fireworks Saturday, with Eddie Campbell looking to lead the club to its fourth straight victory at 7:30pm. Fans that cannot attend (unlucky though they may be) can listen to every pitch live at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via TuneIn Radio. Dan Besbris has the call.
California League Stories from May 28, 2016
- Blaze Bullpen Stymies Sixers to Open Series - Inland Empire 66ers
- Bullpen Falters in 6-2 Loss to Quakes - Visalia Rawhide
- Stockton Silenced by Storm in 3-0 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Rebound in Visalia with Big Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants' Pitching Shines in 2-1 Victory over Nuts - San Jose Giants
- Mack's Homer, Bullpen Push Streak to Three - Bakersfield Blaze
- Deetz Dazzles Mavs In Series Opening 2-1 Win - Lancaster JetHawks
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