Walczak Dazzles, Fans 11 in Blaze 4-3 Victory
Published on July 13, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release
In a hard-fought win at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, the Bakersfield Blaze rode the arm of Jamie Walczak and the bat of Steve Selsky, and narrowly prevailed 4-3 over the Stockton Ports.
Jamie Walczak (W, 3-2) was outstanding in his second consecutive start. After going 6.0-innings of 1-run ball in Lake Elsinore, Jamie continued his recent surge with 7.0 sterling frames against the Ports, striking out 11 without a walk. The only runs allowed by Walczak came in the 4th inning, with the Blaze leading 3-0, the Ports Josh Whitaker and Max Stassi clubbed back-to-back homers to right.
For the Blaze, Steve Selsky provided most of the necessary offense. In a game where the kid from Manhattan Beach, California came within a single of hitting for the cycle, Selsky doubled in 2 runs in the first, tripled in the 3rd, and smashed a solo homer in the 6th, all off Stockton starter Josh Bowman (L, 2-8). Selsky's 2-run double gave the Blaze a 2-0 early lead, and was immediately followed by a Dominic D'Anna RBI single. All told, the Blaze mustered just the solo shot after a 3-run first inning, but pitching and defense again provided the spark needed.
Brooks Pinckard worked the 8th inning without event, but, as happens to be the case in all baseball games, the game got interesting in the 9th.
Pinckard retired the leadoff man, but went on to give up 3 singles and a walk to the next 4 batters, and if not for a tremendous throw from Selsky in rightfield to cut down a runner at 2nd, the game may never have gone to the Blaze.
After the third single of the inning brought the Ports to within a run, Kyle McMyne (S, 4) was summoned to get the final out with the tying run at 3rd, and McMyne struck out Michael Gilmartin on a 3-2 fastball to send the Blaze to its 3rd straight victory.
The win, in addition to being the third in a row, moves the Blaze to the 50-win mark on the season, and back to 9-12 in the second half. In addition, the Blaze is now 7-2 at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, where the team will play its final game tomorrow at 7:05pm. Chad Rogers gets the call for the Blaze, and Sean Murphy for the Ports.
Listen live to all the action on BakersfieldBlaze.com, with Dan Besbris going on air at 6:55pm with the pregame show.
California League Stories from July 13, 2012
- 66ers Get NCAA Pre-Season All American - Inland Empire 66ers
- San Jose Giants Homestand Preview: July 14-July 16 - San Jose Giants
- Rogers, Early Offense Carry Giants to 4-0 Win - San Jose Giants
- Storm Fall 11-2 - Lake Elsinore Storm
- 66ers Win Nail Biter - Inland Empire 66ers
- Ethier Sparks Rally, But Quakes Fall in Ninth - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Walczak Dazzles, Fans 11 in Blaze 4-3 Victory - Bakersfield Blaze
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