Pair of Homers Power Blaze to Fourth Straight Win, 8-6
September 7, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Nelson Ward and Justin Seager homered, and the visiting San Jose Giants kicked the ball around in two key innings, as the Bakersfield Blaze capitalized on the Giants' mistakes and held on for an 8-6 victory on Sunday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
The Blaze jumped out to a quick lead on this Sunday evening affair. After Brett Ash (W, 9-8) worked a quick and tidy top of the 1st, the first three Blaze batters all scored in the home half off Giants starter Jordan Johnson (L, 2-3). Aaron Barbosa walked, Nelson Ward walked, and Tyler O'Neill hit a flyball lost in the dusk sky for a two-run triple. Kyle Petty followed with a groundout to plate O'Neill.
The Giants got their first hit, and first run in the 4th. With Ash cruising, a pair of two out hits got San Jose on the board and cut the deficit to 3-1.
But the Blaze quickly responded. Justin Seager smashed an opposite field solo homer in the bottom of the 4th to lead 4-1, and just one inning later, the Blaze capitalized on some more shaky Giants defense to plate a pair. Petty's double scored O'Neill, and Rayder Ascanio singled home Petty after two runners reached on a pair of strikeout-wild pitch combinations.
After San Jose plated a run on three singles in the top of the 6th, the Blaze came back with two more. Seager doubled for his second hit of the night and scored on Daniel Torres' sacrifice fly, and with two outs, Ward homered to make it 8-2.
The Giants refused to quit, chasing Ash from the game with three runs in the 7th, and forcing the Blaze into their own bullpen. Another run off Aaron Brooks cut the lead to just 8-6.
Brooks continued with two outs in the 8th, but a walk sent Bako back to the pen for Emilio Pagan (S, 8), who allowed just a single while recording the final four outs, locking up the club's fourth win in a row.
The regular season finishes on Monday. Wow. 140 goes quickly when it's all said and done. The contest is a Dollar Monday (presented by Bakersfield Hyundai), which means admission is just one buck and hot dogs are, as well. Gates open at 11am, and first pitch is scheduled for high noon.
Scott DeCecco makes his final start for the Blaze in the regular season finale.
We're not even going to tell you how to listen online at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via the TuneIn Radio app. We're not even going to tell you to listen to Dan Besbris with the call. It's the last game; you should be there.
California League Stories from September 7, 2015
- Ports Claim Number Two Playoff Seed - Stockton Ports
- Giants Suffer 4-2 Loss in Regular Season Finale - San Jose Giants
- San Jose Giants Playoffs Begin at Municipal Stadium Wednesday, September 9 - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Finish Season with Sweep of San Jose - Bakersfield Blaze
- Late Rally Falls Short in 8-6 Loss to Blaze - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Rally for Win over Inland Empire - Inland Empire 66ers
- Quakes Roll Early, Down 66ers - Inland Empire 66ers
- Pair of Homers Power Blaze to Fourth Straight Win, 8-6 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Quakes Win Again, Finish Regular Season Monday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ports Shutout Nuts 3-0 - Modesto Nuts
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