Osmer, So Hot Right Now; Blaze Win
Published on August 1, 2016 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Osmer Morales worked 6.1 scoreless innings, at one point retiring 11 straight; the offense erupted for seven runs on 12 hits; and the Bakersfield Blaze got a much-needed win over the visiting Lancaster Jethawks, 7-3, in the league's late contest on Sunday night.
It took the home team three innings to get rolling on offense, though Osmer Morales (W, 3-3) did not need much help.
The big Venezuelan allowed just three hits over 6.1 innings of work, walking one and striking out eight to set a new season high in whiffs.
After two blank frames, and a week of tough sledding on the offensive side, Bakersfield's bats came alive.in the 3rd and did not slow down for most of the night.
Jordan Cowan doubled to open the 3rd off Jethawks starter Jose Hernandez (L, 0-2), and after a wild pitch, Drew Jackon's infield hit brought him home. Two batters later, the Blaze opened it up when Chantz Mack smashed a 393-foot homer to center for a 3-0 lead.
The Blaze added one more off Hernandez in the 5th when Jackson singled and Tyler Marlette doubled off the wall to bring him in.
And finally, the Blaze put it away with another three-spot, this one coming off Lancaster reliever Andrew Thome in the 6th. Joe DeCarlo began the frame with single and was forced. Cowan singled to bring in a run, Gianfranco Wawoe singled to center, and Chantz Mack drove in his third and fourth runs of the night on a hot shot down the leftfield line for a 7-0 lead.
Lancaster plated three in the 8th on a sloppy Blaze inning defensively and a homer off Kody Kerski, but Jake Zokan blitzed through the final four batters to wrap up the game and get the Blaze win number 59 on the year, building the team's second half North Division lead back to 6.0 games.
The series with Lancaster may have ended, but the homestand continues for three more nights, Monday through Wednesday, against the San Jose Giants. Monday is DOLLAR DAY, so make sure to get tickets in advance. First pitch is set for 7:30pm.
California League Stories from August 1, 2016
- Ports One-Hit by Rawhide in 2-0 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Osmer, So Hot Right Now; Blaze Win - Bakersfield Blaze
- Nuts Cruise Past Giants to Take Series - San Jose Giants
- Sixers Down Storm 8-7 in Ten, Win Series - Inland Empire 66ers
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