Two Outs, No Problem; Blaze Win 4-3
May 27, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
A seemingly innoccuous walk with two outs in the bottom of the 6th proved crucial, as the Bakersfield Blaze mounted a three-run rally, in the process overcoming a three-run deficit for a 4-3 win over visiting Rancho Cucamonga, and a series win, two games to one.
The first five innings were a bonafide pitchers' duel, with Bakersfield's Tyler Herb (W, 5-2) and Rancho Cucamonga's Tommy Bergjans (L, 2-4) matching each other out for out.
Each club scored a single run in the 2nd inning, with the Quakes Mike Ahmed homering off Herb, and the Blaze plating Kyle Petty - who reached on the first of his three hits - on a groundout.
The 6th inning proved to be the decisive frame, perhaps not as it appeared.
In the visiting portion of the frame, a walk and a booming Johan Mieses homer put staked Rancho to a 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, Bergjans was midway through a stretch of five consecutive strikeouts, and the Blaze appeared to be in some measure of trouble. Bergjans promptly retired the first two batters in the last of the 6th, but Arby Fields worked a long at-bat for a walk, and the wheels came off for Rancho's starter.
Jay Baum followed with a single, and Petty's two-run double tied the game at three runs apiece. Chantz Mack worked another walk, and Austin Wilson's dumped a single into right, plating Petty for the 4-3 lead.
Rancho pulled Bergjans after that hit, but the damage was already done. Kody Kerski worked the 7th and 8th innings for Bakersfield for the hold, and Kyle Schepel (S, 3) pitched a one-two-three 9th for his third save of the year, racking up a pair of strikeouts in the process.
With the win, the Blaze have now won two of three on the homestand, and following a highly productive 5-2 road trip, the club is beginning to put the pieces together for a solid 7-3 stretch over the last 10 games.
The homestand continues on TGI Friday (Rally Towel Giveaway Night) as the Inland Empire 66ers come to town to begin a four-game series. Friday night's game will begin at 7:30pm, with gates to the ballpark opening at 6:30pm. Tyler Pike gets the nod.
Can't make it out? Listen to the action live at BakersfieldBlaze.com or via TuneIn Radio. Dan Besbris has the call with pregame show five minutes prior to the start of the contest.
California League Stories from May 27, 2016
- Bats Quiet in 2-1 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- Antoine Bethea Announces Celebrity Softball Game Roster, Home Run Derby and Ultimate Fan Experience - San Jose Giants
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giant Road Trip Concludes with Two Games in Modesto - San Jose Giants
- Avalanche of Runs Buries Ports in 29-11 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Lugo Drives in Five, Goes Deep Twice in 16-0 Rout of San Jose - Visalia Rawhide
- Storm Stuns Sixers, Salvages Series - Inland Empire 66ers
- JetHawks Set Sail in 29-11 Win over Ports - Lancaster JetHawks
- Rawhide Take Series with 16-0 Rout of Giants - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Rally for Win over Quakes on Thursday - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Two Outs, No Problem; Blaze Win 4-3 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Hoelscher Lifts Off; Almonte Stifles; Nuts Win 4-3 - Modesto Nuts
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.
