Middle Innings Bury Bako 7-1

For five innings, the Bakersfield Blaze and Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were locked in a tight battle, but a rough 6th later and the Blaze found themselves too far behind, ultimately falling 7-1 at the hands of the visitors from the south.

Ryan Yarbrough (L, 0-1) got the start for the Blaze, and the highly touted young Mariners prospect struggled, but battled. Pitching around mess after mess, Ryan stranded five runners in his four innings, but the Quakes got him in the 3rd. With one out, a hit-batsman and a single set up Jarek Cunningham. The veteran minor leaguer doubled off the wall to give Rancho a 2-0 lead, and they would never relinquish that advantage.

The Blaze pen was a bit rocky on this Fireworks Friday, as well, with Nick Valenza allowing a run in the 5th and Will Mathis giving up four more in the 6th.

Meanwhile, the Blaze offense showed more signs of life than in the Thursday night opener, but still was largely on its heels. Quakes starter John Richy (W, 1-0) worked near the corners of the plate, and while Tyler O'Neill picked up Bakersfield's first RBI of the 2015 season on an infield single in the 3rd, the Blaze wouldn't muster another run.

The combination of Dan Tillman and Ramon Benjamin finished things off for the Quakes.

One very bright spot for the Blaze was the work of reliever Trey Cochran-Gill, who entered the contest with two runners aboard and two outs in the 6th and promptly retired 11 Quakes in a row. Also of note, the Blaze struck out double-digit opposing batters for the second night in a row and have fanned 23 Rancho batters over the first two nights of the 2015 season.

The Blaze look to get off the snide on Souvenir Saturday, where the first 1,000 fans will take home a Philip Guiry-branded Blaze beanie! Gates open at 6:15pm, and fans are encouraged to arrive early to guarantee a giveaway.

The game should be a fun one, as well, as the Blaze send yet another highly touted prospect to the hill in Dan Altavilla. The Quakes counter with Zach Bird, who was pushed back one day in the rotation and will now make his season debut on Saturday.

Can't make it out? Listen live, as Dan Besbris brings the call for all Blaze games via the world wide web at BakersfieldBlaze.com and through TuneIn Radio. The pregame show begins at 7:10pm with first pitch scheduled for 7:15pm.