Hacking Away, Blaze Lose Brisk Finale, 10-0
In what can only be described as the getaway'est of the getaway days, the Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks played a 1:39 minute season finale, with High Desert prevailing 10-0.
The game had no playoff implications, and with many players having only days between the season and instructional ball, there was a sense of urgency. In fact, Blaze batters swung at each of the first 13 pitches offered by High Desert starter Taylor Stanton (W, 4-5). Bakersfield managed a handful of hits off Taylor, but never really got a rally going, grounding into 2 double plays off the starter, and one more off reliever Jason Buursma.
On the other side, the Mavs had a little more success with the free-swinging approach to game 140, knocking Blaze starter Matt Fairel (L, 0-6) out of the game after 5.2 innings. For Matt, this start again showed promise, but much the way he ran out of gas in High Desert, Fairel gave up 5 hits to 6 batters in the 6th inning, and surrendered three 2-run homers overall in the game.
The Mavs scored their final 2 runs on the 4th 2-run blast of the day, this one coming off Tyree Hayes in the 9th. Leury Bonilla hit 2 more homers tonight, giving him 4 against the Blaze, and 6 on the season.
And with that, the 2011 wraps up. The Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks each head home or to Fall baseball, picking up jobs where they can, and biding time until April, when the fun begins again!
For Blaze fans, however, you can continue to keep tabs on your favorite information. The Blaze front office staff will be busting their collective rumps throughout the offseason getting Sam Lynn Ballpark ready for 2012, planning promotions, garnering sponsors, and filling seats. If anyone would like to be involved, the office can be reached at (661) 716-4487. In addition, the Blaze are available via Facebook by searching for "Bakersfield Blaze" and on twitter at Twitter.com/BakoBlaze.
Have a great offseason everyone, and a season recap article should be coming soon!
The game had no playoff implications, and with many players having only days between the season and instructional ball, there was a sense of urgency. In fact, Blaze batters swung at each of the first 13 pitches offered by High Desert starter Taylor Stanton (W, 4-5). Bakersfield managed a handful of hits off Taylor, but never really got a rally going, grounding into 2 double plays off the starter, and one more off reliever Jason Buursma.
On the other side, the Mavs had a little more success with the free-swinging approach to game 140, knocking Blaze starter Matt Fairel (L, 0-6) out of the game after 5.2 innings. For Matt, this start again showed promise, but much the way he ran out of gas in High Desert, Fairel gave up 5 hits to 6 batters in the 6th inning, and surrendered three 2-run homers overall in the game.
The Mavs scored their final 2 runs on the 4th 2-run blast of the day, this one coming off Tyree Hayes in the 9th. Leury Bonilla hit 2 more homers tonight, giving him 4 against the Blaze, and 6 on the season.
And with that, the 2011 wraps up. The Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks each head home or to Fall baseball, picking up jobs where they can, and biding time until April, when the fun begins again!
For Blaze fans, however, you can continue to keep tabs on your favorite information. The Blaze front office staff will be busting their collective rumps throughout the offseason getting Sam Lynn Ballpark ready for 2012, planning promotions, garnering sponsors, and filling seats. If anyone would like to be involved, the office can be reached at (661) 716-4487. In addition, the Blaze are available via Facebook by searching for "Bakersfield Blaze" and on twitter at Twitter.com/BakoBlaze.
Have a great offseason everyone, and a season recap article should be coming soon!