Bakersfield Wins First Half Title, Beats Elsinore 4-2
The Bakersfield Blaze did the unthinkable on Thursday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark in Bakersfield, snapping San Jose's 7-year lock on first half titles by beating the Lake Elsinore Storm 4-2 in comeback fashion.
The night began slowly for Bakersfield. Storm starter Burch Smith (L, 5-4) was firing seeds through the first 5 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 5 while getting first-pitch strikes to 15 of 16 batters.
Meanwhile, the Storm put runners on base in every inning through the first 5 frames. A Rymer Liriano solo homer put the Storm ahead 1-0 in the 2nd, and in the 5th, a leadoff walk and a single thereafter put Storm at the corners with nobody out. That ended the night for Jamie Walczak, a righty making his 3rd start for the Blaze, but the night was just beginning for Bakersfield.
Pat Doyle (W, 7-2) came out of the pen and shut down Lake Elsinore for 3.1 innings. The long-relief specialist retired the first 7 men he faced, allowing just one inherited runner to score before blowing through the next 3 innings.
Doyle's work proved huge, as the Blaze woke up in the 6th. A leadoff error by the Storm set the stage for Niko Vasquez's heroic night. Vasquez doubled, putting 2 runners in scoring position, and an infield single and sacrifice fly eventually brought them in to tie the game, 2-2.
One inning later, the Blaze took the lead for good. With 1 out, Juan Duran singled, and with 2 outs, Niko Vasquez sliced a homer into the catwalk in rightfield to put the Blaze up 4-2.
In the 8th, Pat Doyle got the first out before All Star Brian Pearl (S, 13) was called upon for the 5-out save. Pearl allowed a single, but set down the next 5 in a row, striking out the side in the 9th to put icing on Bakersfield's cake.
The win gives Bakersfield the team's first title since 1991, guarantees a spot in the playoffs as well as a first round bye in the postseason. With 2 games to go in the first half, Bakersfield sits at 40-28, out of reach of San Jose.
The series does, however, continue over the weekend on Friday and Saturday, each game at 7:45pm. Friday is a Fireworks Friday, with a show coming up after the ballgame. Tickets are available, but in short supply, so hurry down and join us for two nights of fun.
Can't make it? Listen live on either internet or radio as Dan Besbris calls all the action on SmartTalk AM-1230 and BakersfieldBlaze.com -- pregame show is set for 7:35pm.
The night began slowly for Bakersfield. Storm starter Burch Smith (L, 5-4) was firing seeds through the first 5 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 5 while getting first-pitch strikes to 15 of 16 batters.
Meanwhile, the Storm put runners on base in every inning through the first 5 frames. A Rymer Liriano solo homer put the Storm ahead 1-0 in the 2nd, and in the 5th, a leadoff walk and a single thereafter put Storm at the corners with nobody out. That ended the night for Jamie Walczak, a righty making his 3rd start for the Blaze, but the night was just beginning for Bakersfield.
Pat Doyle (W, 7-2) came out of the pen and shut down Lake Elsinore for 3.1 innings. The long-relief specialist retired the first 7 men he faced, allowing just one inherited runner to score before blowing through the next 3 innings.
Doyle's work proved huge, as the Blaze woke up in the 6th. A leadoff error by the Storm set the stage for Niko Vasquez's heroic night. Vasquez doubled, putting 2 runners in scoring position, and an infield single and sacrifice fly eventually brought them in to tie the game, 2-2.
One inning later, the Blaze took the lead for good. With 1 out, Juan Duran singled, and with 2 outs, Niko Vasquez sliced a homer into the catwalk in rightfield to put the Blaze up 4-2.
In the 8th, Pat Doyle got the first out before All Star Brian Pearl (S, 13) was called upon for the 5-out save. Pearl allowed a single, but set down the next 5 in a row, striking out the side in the 9th to put icing on Bakersfield's cake.
The win gives Bakersfield the team's first title since 1991, guarantees a spot in the playoffs as well as a first round bye in the postseason. With 2 games to go in the first half, Bakersfield sits at 40-28, out of reach of San Jose.
The series does, however, continue over the weekend on Friday and Saturday, each game at 7:45pm. Friday is a Fireworks Friday, with a show coming up after the ballgame. Tickets are available, but in short supply, so hurry down and join us for two nights of fun.
Can't make it? Listen live on either internet or radio as Dan Besbris calls all the action on SmartTalk AM-1230 and BakersfieldBlaze.com -- pregame show is set for 7:35pm.