Snake Whisperer Tames Giants

September 5, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release


In the second 2-0 final of the current homestand, in front of over 1,500 boisterous fans, the Bakersfield Blaze rode the Tyler Pike tidal wave and a pair of San Jose Giants errors to a hard-fought win on the season's final Fireworks Friday at Sam Lynn Ballpark in Bakersfield.

The ballgame came down to two key moments, but the story was Tyler Pike (W, 6-6).

Pike, the former 3rd rounder, had, arguably, his finest start of the season in his last appearance of the year. Working both sides of the plate and going heavy on a well-located fastball, Pike plowed through 7.0 innings against the light-hitting Giants. The first baserunner came on a 4th-inning walk, and Pike didn't allow a hit until a two-out double in the 6th off the bat of Brandon Bednar.

In all, Pike finished his effort with 7.0 innings of scoreless ball, allowing a total of three hits, striking out seven and walking just one.

Grady Wood worked a quick 8th in relief, but got into trouble in the 9th with the Blaze on top, 2-0. After a leadoff strikeout, the Giants came up with three consecutive singles to load the bases, forcing the Blaze to go back to the pen for Kyle Schepel (S, 4). And, in a wild finish, Schepel got the job done. A strikeout on a full-count slider took care of Tyler Horan, and on a pitch to the back-stop, the Blaze managed to get the tag on the runner coming home, ending the game.

Bakersfield had plenty of changes on offense to run away, but got their only two runs off Martin Agosta (L, 5-9) in the 4th. With one out, the Giants misplayed a flyball, and Rayder Ascanio followed with a double off the wall in center. An errant throw to the plate allowed Ascanio to come around and score on the play, and that was it.

The win is the third in four nights for the Blaze on the season-closing homestand, and this one in front of one of the biggest crowds of the year.

The series, and the final homestand of the year, continue on Fan Appreciation Night. A full house is expected, so get tickets immediately to guarantee a good seat. Gates open at 6:15pm, first pitch is set for 7:15pm, and more than $5,000 in prizes (over 100 items) will be raffled off throughout the game. Ryan Yarbrough makes his final start of the year for the Blaze.



California League Stories from September 5, 2015


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