O'Neill Hits 28th Dinger in 3-2 Loss
August 21, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In the opener of a four game series in San Jose, the Bakersfield Blaze waged a valiant comeback effort against the hometown Giants, but ultimately stranded a few runners too many and dropped the contest, 3-2 on Thursday night.
The positives were almost large enough to outweight the negatives ... almost. Ryan Yarbrough (L, 2-7) took the tough-luck loss, striking out a career-high nine batters but making one key mistake in the bottom of the 5th inning.
With the Blaze leading 1-0, Yarbrough hit two batters, and a pair of Giants doubles - one a flyball, the other a screaming liner, plated all three San Jose runs on the night.
And a solid Giants pitching staff made it hold up.
Making his Cal League debut, Giants 2nd round pick Andrew Suarez allowed just a single hit over his 4.0 innings of work. Christian Jones (W, 6-1) allowed a run to the Blaze in the 5th on a pair of singles to Aaron Barbosa and Daniel Torres, and a Nelson Ward squeeze bunt brought in Barbosa.
The Blaze got their other run in the 6th when Tyler O'Neill hit a monster shot to left off Luis Ysla to cut the deficit to just 3-2.
The Blaze would get no closer, though, as Ysla settled down for a scoreless 7th, and Ian Gardeck (S, 3) pitched out of a two-on, two-out jam in the 9th to secure his third save of the year.
Kyle Schepel worked 2.0 innings of relief for Bakersfield, striking out five.
In a strange turn, Tyler O'Neill had a bat removed from the game due to the potential height of pine tar up the handle. It was taken to the umpire's room for further review, and O'Neill followed the event with a single. More info will become available by tomorrow on the incident, and fans can learn more by listening to the broadcast.
The series with the Giants continues on Friday evening 7:05pm at Municipal Stadium on the road. Brett Ash takes the hill for the Blaze.
Tune in to every moment live online at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via the TuneIn Radio app. Dan Besbris has the call.
California League Stories from August 21, 2015
- Two Pitchers, Two Homers; Blaze Victorious 5-3 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Dan Altavilla and Tyler O'Neill Named Postseason All Stars - Bakersfield Blaze
- Reed Named Cal League Most Valuable Player - Lancaster JetHawks
- Vic Zapien Named California League Clubhouse Manager of the Year - Stockton Ports
- Christian Arroyo and Chase Johnson Named to Postseason All-Star Team - San Jose Giants
- J.R. House Named California League Manager of the Year - Visalia Rawhide
- 2015 California League Field Awards and Post Season All-Stars Named - CalL1
- Radziewski Stymies Storm in Series Opener - Lancaster JetHawks
- Mavericks Send 66ers to Seventh Straight Loss - Inland Empire 66ers
- Giants Edge Blaze for Third Straight Win - San Jose Giants
- Shelton Delivers a Gem in 4-0 Win - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Open Road Trip with Key 3-0 Win - Stockton Ports
- 3-0 Shutout Sends Nuts to Fifth Straight Loss - Modesto Nuts
- O'Neill Hits 28th Dinger in 3-2 Loss - Bakersfield Blaze
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