Errors Cost Blaze; Comeback Falls Short, 6-4

The ever-battling Bakersfield Blaze dropped the finale in San Jose, as the Giants took advantage of some Blaze miscues early to pile up a four run lead, and held on to beat our Bako Boys and earn a series split in their home ballpark with a 6-4 final score.

The madness began early on Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless top of the 1st, the Giants struck for two runs on four hits, though a key Blaze error doubled the damage in the inning.

In the 3rd, the Blaze briefly locked the contest at two runs apiece. A leadoff walk of Carlton Tanabe was followed by a fielder's choice that did not result in an out. Two outs later, Tyler O'Neill drew a walk, loading the bases, and Austin Wilson singled in two on a bouncer into rightfield.

But in the home half, the Giants got two right back. With Dan Altavilla (L, 6-11) on the bump, a bloop single, a line drive single, and two outs later, a hard infield hopper banged off Tim Lopes for a hit, but the throw back to the infield went to the ghost of second base, scoring a second run and putting Bako back in a two run hole at 4-2.

From there, the bullpens took over. Jeff Soptic (W, 2-3) relieved Christian Jones for the Giants and worked 3.0 innings, allowing only a pair of walks.

Altavilla ended up going his full complement of 5.0 innings, posting a pair of zeroes, and Rafael Pineda followed with a spotless 6th.

In the 7th, though, San Jose pulled out in front by an extra deuce, and quickly. A leadoff single and a one-out rocket over the wall in leftcenter pushed the Giants lead up to four, and the Blaze found themselves down 6-2.

Tyler Rogers followed Soptic for San Jose, but ran into trouble in the 8th, allowing the Blaze to load the bases with nobody out, and a grounder and error plated two Blaze to cut the deficit to just 6-4.

And the Blaze threatened in the 9th. Carlton Tanabe and Aaron Barbosa each singled off Giants closer Jake Smith (S, 13), but Smith came back to get Rayder Ascanio and Tim Lopes to end it, and the series finished in a split.

With the season's second-to-last road trip completed, the Blaze head home to play 11 of the season's final 15 games at Sam Lynn Ballpark, starting with a four-game set against the rival Visalia Rawhide beginning Monday night.

Monday is also One Dollar Day, presented by Bakersfield Hyundai, with admission just one dollar and hot dogs just a buck, as well. Monday is also the beginning of our Battle for 99 week with Visalia, which means 99 Golden Ale is 99 cents for 99 minutes from gates open time (6:15pm to 7:54pm).

First pitch is set for 7:15pm, and Tyler Pike takes the hill for the Blaze in the series-opener.

Can't make it? Listen live to every moment online at BakersfieldBlaze.com or the TuneIn Radio app. Dan Besbris has the call.