Storm Outlast Blaze in Pitching Battle, 3-2
July 9, 2012 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
A warm Sunday evening did little to perk up the slumping Blaze, as the boys from Bakersfield dropped a second consecutive one-run ballgame to the Lake Elsinore Storm, 3-2.
In contrast to Saturday's offensive show that saw the Storm handle the Blaze, 9-8, tonight was about pitching and defense, and the Storm had just a shade more of each.
Bakersfield did grab the early lead off Storm starter Mark Pope (W, 6-6) on Steve Selsky's solo homer in the second inning, but it would be the only lead they would enjoy in the game.
Two innings later, the Storm put a run on the board against Daniel Renken (L, 4-5), on two singles and a walk, and the game was tied at 1.
Then, defense played a role. On the Storm defensive side, Rico Noel made his 3rd outstanding catch in centerfield against the Blaze this year to rob Devin Lohman; on the Blaze side, Bakersfield committed one of the team's five miscues, and the Storm cashed in an unearned run in the 5th to lead 2-1.
In the 7th, Lake Elsinore added an insurance run that would prove important. Justice French, who ended up going 3.0 innings of solid relief, allowed 3 singles, and Tommy Medica's base hit to right scored one final run for the Storm. Almost immediately thereafter, Donald Lutz smacked his second homer of the series, a solo blast, for the only other run for the Blaze, and the game went into the late innings a 3-2 Storm edge.
Bakersfield had one final chance in the 8th. Ryan Quigley hit two batters, and an infield single loaded the bases, but Quigley struck out Travis Mattair and got Lutz on a flyball to center, and after the Storm were retired in the 9th, Kevin Quackenbush (S, 19) struck out the side in the bottom half for his second save in as many nights.
The loss was Bakersfield's 7th in a row, a season high, and drops the team to 6-12 in the second half, 0-5 on the homestand, and just 47-41 overall, and the 5 errors marked the 4th time this year the team has committed 5 or more in a game.
The homestand wraps up on Chick-fil-A Dollar Monday, tomorrow! Make sure to head to Chick-fil-A of Bakersfield to get your seats to the game, and come out to enjoy dollar dogs as the Blaze try to salvage a final game with the Storm. First pitch is set for 7:45pm, and Pat Doyle will take the hill for the Blaze against Matt Jackson of the Storm.
Can't make it? Listen live on BakersfieldBlaze.com, as Dan Besbris calls all the action at 7:35pm.
California League Stories from July 9, 2012
- Josh Bowman Named California League Pitcher of the Week - Stockton Ports
- Storm Outlast Blaze in Pitching Battle, 3-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
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.
