Another Walkoff, Blaze Race by Giants 1-0
Fireworks on the field preceded fireworks off, as the Bakersfield Blaze took care of the San Jose Giants in walkoff fashion for the second straight night, this time a 1-0 win in front of 733 raucous fans at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
The game sped along, almost from start to finish, with little offense of which to speak. Starters Tony Cingrani and Jack Snodgrass took to a pitchers' duel, and the defenses responded with quality play on both sides.
Cingrani went a season-high 7 innings for Bakersfield, allowing just 4 hits and a walk while striking out a team-high 9 batters. However, he would not factor into the decision. Pat Doyle (W, 1-0) worked the 8th and 9th, giving up only an infield hit en route to the win.
On the other side, Giants starter Jack Snodgrass went 6 innings, allowing just a 1-out single to Devin Lohman in the first inning before setting down the next 17 Blaze batters in a row. After Snodgrass was pulled, the Blaze bats began to show signs of a life. Two singles in the 7th did not lead to a run, but the feel of the game changed. Chris Wilson (L, 0-1) retired the Blaze in order in the 8th, but got himself into trouble in the 9th when Billy Hamilton led off the frame with a sharp single to right.
Hamilton promptly stole second, and, after a pop-up and intentional walk, stole third. Then, with 1 out and a 1-ball, 2-strike count, Juan Duran broke his bat and hit a pop fly into shallow right. With the infield drawn in, second baseman Carter Jurica had to race out to make the basket catch, and Hamilton tagged from third, bringing in the winning run ahead of Jurica's throw.
With the back-to-back walk-off wins, Bakersfield improves to a game over 500 on the season, and cuts San Jose's lead in the North to just 3.5 games. The Blaze has now won 5 in a row, and takes aim at San Jose again on Saturday for the Blaze Souvenir Seat Cushion Giveaway Night. The first 500 fans get the amazing Blaze logo item, while Kyle Lotzkar (1-0) and Shawn Sanford (3-0) will battle it out on the field. The game can be heard on both radio and internet at SmartTalk 1230AM in Bakersfield and online through BakersfieldBlaze.com, with Dan Besbris calling all the action. Pregame show at 7:05pm; first pitch at 7:15pm.
The game sped along, almost from start to finish, with little offense of which to speak. Starters Tony Cingrani and Jack Snodgrass took to a pitchers' duel, and the defenses responded with quality play on both sides.
Cingrani went a season-high 7 innings for Bakersfield, allowing just 4 hits and a walk while striking out a team-high 9 batters. However, he would not factor into the decision. Pat Doyle (W, 1-0) worked the 8th and 9th, giving up only an infield hit en route to the win.
On the other side, Giants starter Jack Snodgrass went 6 innings, allowing just a 1-out single to Devin Lohman in the first inning before setting down the next 17 Blaze batters in a row. After Snodgrass was pulled, the Blaze bats began to show signs of a life. Two singles in the 7th did not lead to a run, but the feel of the game changed. Chris Wilson (L, 0-1) retired the Blaze in order in the 8th, but got himself into trouble in the 9th when Billy Hamilton led off the frame with a sharp single to right.
Hamilton promptly stole second, and, after a pop-up and intentional walk, stole third. Then, with 1 out and a 1-ball, 2-strike count, Juan Duran broke his bat and hit a pop fly into shallow right. With the infield drawn in, second baseman Carter Jurica had to race out to make the basket catch, and Hamilton tagged from third, bringing in the winning run ahead of Jurica's throw.
With the back-to-back walk-off wins, Bakersfield improves to a game over 500 on the season, and cuts San Jose's lead in the North to just 3.5 games. The Blaze has now won 5 in a row, and takes aim at San Jose again on Saturday for the Blaze Souvenir Seat Cushion Giveaway Night. The first 500 fans get the amazing Blaze logo item, while Kyle Lotzkar (1-0) and Shawn Sanford (3-0) will battle it out on the field. The game can be heard on both radio and internet at SmartTalk 1230AM in Bakersfield and online through BakersfieldBlaze.com, with Dan Besbris calling all the action. Pregame show at 7:05pm; first pitch at 7:15pm.