Weaver Starts, Bats Win it Late for 66ers 2-1
San Bernardino, CA- Many of the 3,656 fans at San Manuel Stadium came only to see Los Angeles Angels righty Jered Weaver in a Major League rehab appearance on Thursday, but all got to see a magnificent pitchers' duel and a comeback win. The Inland Empire 66ers were stymied by the Bakersfield Blaze's Tyler Pike for seven innings but broke through in the eighth to earn a 2-1 win.
Weaver, the three-time American League All-Star began the game on the mound for Inland Empire (50-51, 15-16) in a contest that had its start time pushed back 29 minutes due to a stray thunderstorm. The righty had not pitched in a game since June 20th at Oakland due to hip inflammation. He allowed an unearned run in the first inning when Tyler O'Neill lifted a sacrifice fly to center field. It was the only run that Angels' former first round pick would allow. He would finish his evening allowing three hits, two walks and two strikeouts on 64 pitches (42 strikes) in 3.2 innings.
Southpaw Tyler Pike smothered the 66ers offense for Bakersfield (37-65, 11-22). The Blaze starter did not allow a hit until the fourth inning when Mike Fish flared a single into center field. The 66ers did not get a runner to second base safely until the seventh inning but Pike stranded him there. The Winter Haven, FL native went seven innings allowing just two hits, three walks and four Ks but no runs.
The Sixers bullpen was stout. Alex Blackford relieved Weaver and went 3.1 innings; he did not allow a run. The righty walked two and fanned four. Blackford escaped a bases loaded, no-out jam in the fifth with a strikeout and double play ball. Trevor Foss pitched a flawless eighth inning the day he was activated off the disabled list with elbow tightness.
Righty Emilio Pagan (2-8) relieved Pike for the Blaze and walked Tyler Palmer to lead off the bottom of the eight in a 1-0 game. Jake Yacinich, in his Cal League debut, sacrificed Palmer to second with a bunt. Bo Way then drilled a base-hit up the box to score Palmer and tie the game. Way advanced to second on throw home. Fish then smoked a ball up the box that bounced off the bag at second and allowed Way to score easily and give the 66ers a 2-1 lead.
Garrett Nuss threw a perfect ninth with a strikeout to earn his first save for Inland Empire. Foss was credited with win and improved to 3-2.
The series continues Friday at 7:15 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com
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