Storm Slam Blaze in Thumping
August 7, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
The losing streak was at four games and Zack Littell had all the ingredients to end the skid.
A promising start by the young right-hander was quickly kicked to the curb as the Storm used two big innings to beat Littell (L, 5-1) and the Blaze, 7-1.
Recently named Cal League Player of the Month, Littell was crisp with his array of pitches as he struck out eight batters in the first four innings of play.
With a 1-0 lead, Littell struck out Fernando Perez before Lake Elsinore finally figured things out in the fifth.
Doubles by Ricardo Valenzuela and Luis Urias were part of a 3-run outburst against Littell as the Storm would never relinquish a 3-1 advantage.
The fateful inning for Littell saw him surrender three runs on four hits as he lasted five innings.
Littell matched his career-high with 10 strikeouts in the losing cause, but he did not walk a batter in the effort.
Josh Naylor's grand slam in the eighth inning off of Ramon Morla put the game to bed as his first home run with the Storm made it 7-1.
Bakersfield has now lost five straight and 15 of 20, but they still lead the North Division by three games in the second half of the season.
Lake Elsinore continues to sit 2.5 games back of Lancaster and they go for the sweep in Game 4 on Sunday at 5:00pm. David Gascon will have all the action on TuneIn Radio and BakersfieldBlaze.com.
California League Stories from August 7, 2016
- Byler's RBI Single Breaks Tie Late; Rawhide Win 2-1 - Visalia Rawhide
- Byler's RBI Single Breaks Tie Late; Rawhide Win 2-1 Over - Visalia Rawhide
- GURRIEL HITS GRAND SLAM, DRIVES IN FIVE IN LOSS - Lancaster JetHawks
- Giants Fall to Ports in Series Finale, 5-2 - San Jose Giants
- Ports Upend Giants 5-2 to Earn Series Victory - Stockton Ports
- Blaze Rebound to Avoid Sweep - Bakersfield Blaze
- Nuts Take Flight in 12-10 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Moyer's Blast Vaults Sixers over Visalia - Inland Empire 66ers
- 66ers Moyer Homers in the Ninth; Sinks Visalia 7-5 - Visalia Rawhide
- Rancho Drops 10th Straight to Mavs in 14-13 Loss - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- 656ers Moyer Homers in the Ninth; Sinks Visalia 7-5 - Visalia Rawhide
- Ports Power Past Giants, 9-4 - San Jose Giants
- Storm Slam Blaze in Thumping - Bakersfield Blaze
- Big Fifth Hands Nuts Third Straight Loss - Modesto Nuts
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