Yarbrough Deals, O'Neill Blasts Number 32, Blaze Win 3-2

September 6, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Bakersfield Blaze News Release


On Fan Appreciation Saturday at Sam Lynn Ballpark, the Bakersfield Blaze won their fourth game in five nights on the season-closing seven-game homestand, and in front of another massive final weekend crowd, the team used the dazzling left arm of Ryan Yarbrough and league-leading homer number 32 from Tyler O'Neill to secure a tight 3-2 win over the visiting San Jose Giants.

For the most part, this contest was a pitchers' duel, though the Giants side required a combination effort to match Bakersfield's Ryan Yarbrough (W, 4-7). The big lefty out of Old Dominion had everything working right from the get-go. Yarbrough struck out two batters in the 1st, and never let up, fanning eight over 7.0 innings on the night while allowing a solo homer and an unearned run.

Ramon Morla pitched a spotless 8th, and in a bounce-back effort, Rafael Pineda (S, 8) handled an easy 9th for his team-high eighth save of the season.

On the offensive side, the Blaze continued to put together good at-bats down the stretch in 2015. After coming up with just one single over the game's first three innings, the Blaze made the adjustments and began to score. Kyle Petty singled home Nelson Ward in the 4th to tie the game; Ward singled in Justin Seager in the 5th to take a 2-1 lead; and Tyler O'Neill smoked a line drive homer just over the fence in right to give Bakersfield its third run.

And that would be enough.

Christian Jones (L, 6-2) took the loss for the Giants, giving up two runs in 4.1 innings. Jarrett Leverett allowed O'Neill's homer, which leads the league by two, and Tyler now sits just two homers back of the lead for all of Minor League Baseball.

The victory continues what has been a marvelous final 34 games, and counting. Since August 1, the Blaze are 22-12, tied for the best record in the league with two games left in the season.

On Sunday, in another 7:15pm start, the Blaze tackle the Giants once again in the penultimate contest of 2015. Gates open at 6:15pm and kids can run the bases postgame thanks to K-12.

Brett Ash will make his final start of the year for the Blaze, and Ash has already gone 7.0 shutout on the homestand, winning the opener back on Tuesday.

Fans that can't attend the Sunday evening game should pocket their excuses and should instead listen online at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via the TuneIn Radio app as Dan Besbris brings every moment live.



California League Stories from September 6, 2015


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