Pike and DeCarlo Have Blaze on Verge of Sweep
June 3, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
Tyler Pike said after his previous start that he needed to work on his focus and concentration moving forward. After Thursday night's performance in Stockton, some might ask for the southpaw to work on his manners as well.
Pike was stubborn and ruthless through five innings, striking out a career-high 12 batters as the Bakersfield Blaze (25-28) defeated the Stockton Ports (20-33), 2-1. The left-hander did everything in his power to keep Stockton within striking distance before his offense finally made some noise.
For the second consecutive night Joe DeCarlo was giving the Ports fits and again, it was in the eighth inning.
Austin Wilson led the frame off with a single into center field to get things going. After Joey Wagman's (BS, 2) (L, 0-2) wild pitch allowed Wilson to take second base, Daniel Torres moved him over to third with a sacrifice bunt. Similar to the situation in Game 1, DeCarlo swung at the first pitch he saw and drove a ball sharply into right field for a base hit. Wilson scored on the play giving Bakersfield a 2-1 lead, thus leaving it up to the bullpen to silence the home team for the second straight night.
Kody Kerski pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to pick up his first save of the year and Jake Zokan got his first win with the club.
Pike wasn't a factor late in the game, but he certainly provided his teammates with a jolt. With his ability to baffle hitters by using his breaking ball, Pike eclipsed a previous career-high that was set last year with 10 punch-outs as he yielded three hits in the effort.
Austin Wilson was the lone bat to record a multi-hit performance by going 3-4 in the victory.
Bakersfield now has its eyes set on a series sweep with Game 3 on Friday night in Stockton at 7:10pm. David Gascon will have all the action on TuneIn Radio and BakersfieldBlaze.com.
California League Stories from June 3, 2016
- Quakes Reclaim Share of First with Win over Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Take Series from Rawhide with 8-4 Win - San Jose Giants
- Howard Ends Four-Game Skid - Modesto Nuts
- Ports to Unveil POW/MIA Seat of Honor on Military Appreciation Night - Stockton Ports
- JetHawks Dominate 66ers 9-1 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Pike and DeCarlo Have Blaze on Verge of Sweep - Bakersfield Blaze
- Sonny Gray Scheduled to Make Start with Stockton - Stockton Ports
- Ports June 1st-June 7th Homestand Preview - Stockton Ports
- Blaze Score Late, Edge Ports 2-1 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Fall from First, Home Friday for $1 Family Feast - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Reyes Pitches Giants Past Rawhide, 3-1 - San Jose Giants
- Bats Give Thornton Plenty, 'Hawks Move over .500 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Nuts Strand Ten in Fourth Straight Loss - Modesto Nuts
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