Giants Pop Off Late, Blaze Fall 8-4
In another Blaze-Giants game that went into the final third close, it was the visitors from San Jose who got the last laugh, as the Giants bullpen gave up two runs and the Blaze pen allowed five, and Bakersfield dropped the opener of the final regular season homestand ever played at Sam Lynn Ballpark, 8-4.
The game had an eerily similar script to the contests the Blaze lost last week, with the Giants plating the first two runs of the game for a 2-0 lead midway through the 3rd.
But, as usual, the Blaze came roaring back against Big League rehab Chris Heston. Three straight two-out hits from Chantz Mack, Jay Baum and Kyle Petty produced the tying runs, sending the game into the 4th locked at two runs apiece.
From there, Bakersfield grabbed the lead. In the 5th, a walk ended the night for Heston and Dusten Knight (W, 3-1) came on for long relief. He was greeted rudely, with Mack slamming an opposite-field two-run homer for a 4-2 Blaze lead.
Riding high only briefly, the Blaze saw the lead slip away, with the Giants rattling off the final six runs of the game.
Zack Littell got the short start, giving up a run in two innings, and Eddie Campbell gave up two runs in four innings of relief, but it was the pen that had a tough night.
Vinny Nittoli (L, 3-5) struggled through two innings, giving up three runs on a pair of homers, and Joe Pistorese got tagged for two more in the 9th, and suddenly the Blaze were looking up at a four-run hole.
Pat Young and Reyes Moronta finished the contest for San Jose.
The loss cuts Bakersfield's lead to just three games for the Northern Division Second Half Title, but the team remains in excellent shape for a potential playoff spot, as the Blaze hold a massive edge in the Wild Card battle.
The final homestand at Sam Lynn Ballpark continues on Wednesday night. Fans bringing electronic waste to the stadium get in free. First pitch is set for 7:15pm.
Can't make it out? Listen to Dan Besbris on the call at BakersfieldBlaze.com and via TuneIn Radio.