Sixers Stifle Bako, Home Team
May 29, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
One night after the Blaze and 66ers lit the ballpark up for 15 runs, both teams came back down to earth. The pitching was on full display Saturday night in Bakersfield as Inland Empire was triumphant, 5-1.
The 66ers took an early lead in the first inning after Taylor Ward singled into center to score Tim Arakawa to make it 1-0. Zach Welz made it 2-0 after he hit a solo home run in the top of the third inning.
The two-run cushion was more than enough on a quiet night for Bakersfield.
The Blaze scored 8 runs off of 11 hits on Friday, but they couldn't carry any of that offense over to Game 2.
Eddie Campbell suffered the defeat and dropped to 4-4 on the season. The left-hander pitched 6.1 innings, surrendered four runs (3ER), off of four hits, despite striking out seven.
On the other side, Inland Empire got a huge lift from the entire arsenal of arms in their bullpen. Jason Hoppe started the game, but lasted just 2.1 innings before giving way to Josh Roenicke, who picked up the win, and improved to 1-1.
The 66ers used five pitchers to neutralize and end the Blaze three-game winning streak by limiting the home team to just five hits. The only run for Bakersfield came off Ronnie Muck in the 8th when Drew Jackson walked, and later scored on a Kyle Petty base hit.
The Blaze bullpen was solid in defeat, working 2.2 innings, and allowing just an unearned run.
Inland Empire evened the series at 1-1 even though they managed to generate four hits in the victory.
The series continues on Sunday evening with another 7:30pm start time. It's Cinertain's Cinema Sunday, with fans dressing in superhero gear getting in free, and visits to the park from Spiderman and Captain America.
Can't make it out? Listen to every moment live at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio. Dan Besbris has the call.
• Discuss this story on the California League message board...
California League Stories from May 29, 2016
- Welz Homers, Bullpen Stout for Sixers in 5-1 Win - Inland Empire 66ers
- Rawhide, Quakes Split Double Header, Series - Visalia Rawhide
- Quakes Split Double-Header in Visalia - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- JetHawks Come from Behind to Knock off Mavs - Lancaster JetHawks
- Stockton Snaps Three-Game Skid with 4-3 Win - Stockton Ports
- Early Offense, Agosta's Gem Lift Giants to 5-2 Win - San Jose Giants
- Early Offense Dooms Nuts in 5-2 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Begin 11-Game Homestand Sunday Afternoon - San Jose Giants
- 13 Singles Leads to 10-1 Rout of Quakes - Visalia Rawhide
- Errors Doom Ports in 7-2 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Rancho Gets Rocked in Visalia on Saturday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Howard Dominates as Nuts Rout Giants 8-0 - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Blanked in Road Trip Finale - San Jose Giants
- Sixers Stifle Bako, Home Team - Bakersfield Blaze
- Mavericks Rally Late To Even Series - Lancaster JetHawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
