Hamilton Puts on Show in Opener as Blaze Win 3-1
A new season and era dawned at Sam Lynn Ballpark tonight, on KUZZ's Opening Night event, and when the dust settled, 1,559 fans watched the Bakersfield Blaze prevail over the Visalia Rawhide 3-1 on a cool, windy night.
The game was largely about pitching, as Blaze started Daniel Renken (W, 1-0) held the Rawhide to just 1 unearned run over 5 innings, fanning 5. A cavalcade of Blaze relievers continued the fine work, as Daniel Wolford pitched a scoreless 6th, Wilkin De La Rosa handled the 7th and 8th, and Brian Pearl (S, 1-0) struck out 2 in a strong 9th.
On the offensive side, 2011 Reds Minor League Player of the Year Billy Hamilton was the story.
In his second at-bat, Billy took a fastball and lined a rocket just over the leftfield wall for a 2-run homer. Those runs would ultimately be all the Blaze would need, but Hamilton wasn't done. In the 8th, Hamilton reached on a fielding mistake, stole second, moved to third on an errant throw, and came home on a wild pitch, singlehandedly racing the Blaze to a 2-run cushion and the game's final margin.
On the Visalia side, David Holmberg (L, 0-1) pitched well enough to win on many California League nights, allowing just Hamilton's 2-run shot over 6 innings, but tonight he seemly got beat. Bradin Hagens handled the final 2 innings of work for Visalia, a team that scored its only run on a 3rd inning RBI single by Mike Freeman. The Rawhide had chances, leaving 10 men on base, but strong situational pitching proved the difference.
The Blaze continue the series tomorrow on KGET-TV's Fireworks Friday! Tickets are available at BakersfieldBlaze.com. First pitch is set for 7:15pm with Bakersfield's Chad Rogers taking on Visalia's Andrew Chafin.
The game was largely about pitching, as Blaze started Daniel Renken (W, 1-0) held the Rawhide to just 1 unearned run over 5 innings, fanning 5. A cavalcade of Blaze relievers continued the fine work, as Daniel Wolford pitched a scoreless 6th, Wilkin De La Rosa handled the 7th and 8th, and Brian Pearl (S, 1-0) struck out 2 in a strong 9th.
On the offensive side, 2011 Reds Minor League Player of the Year Billy Hamilton was the story.
In his second at-bat, Billy took a fastball and lined a rocket just over the leftfield wall for a 2-run homer. Those runs would ultimately be all the Blaze would need, but Hamilton wasn't done. In the 8th, Hamilton reached on a fielding mistake, stole second, moved to third on an errant throw, and came home on a wild pitch, singlehandedly racing the Blaze to a 2-run cushion and the game's final margin.
On the Visalia side, David Holmberg (L, 0-1) pitched well enough to win on many California League nights, allowing just Hamilton's 2-run shot over 6 innings, but tonight he seemly got beat. Bradin Hagens handled the final 2 innings of work for Visalia, a team that scored its only run on a 3rd inning RBI single by Mike Freeman. The Rawhide had chances, leaving 10 men on base, but strong situational pitching proved the difference.
The Blaze continue the series tomorrow on KGET-TV's Fireworks Friday! Tickets are available at BakersfieldBlaze.com. First pitch is set for 7:15pm with Bakersfield's Chad Rogers taking on Visalia's Andrew Chafin.