Bakersfield bags Cal League North crown

The final season of the Bakersfield Blaze has gotten an extension.

The Seattle Mariners' Class A Advanced affiliate clinched the North Division of the California League on Thursday with a 5-1 win over San Jose at Municipal Stadium, 10 days after it was announced that Bakersfield and High Desert will be ceasing operations at the end of the season.

"It's been a year of great experience for everybody, a learning process -- and just to stick with it and come up on this end is something that, as a manager, you always kind of want to push for, to make sure these guys understand what were trying to do as a organization and finish how we finish," Blaze manager Eddie Menchaca said. "Obviously we're not done, but it's a step to where we want to go."

Bakersfield, which leads the circuit in ERA (3.88) and shutouts (11) as a team, received another strong effort on the mound in the win. Right-hander Osmer Morales (5-6) allowed one run on two hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out nine to match his season high, originally set Aug. 11 at Visalia.

The Blaze scored all five runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Joe DeCarlo's RBI double in the sixth was sandwiched around two run-scoring wild pitches by San Jose's Caleb Baragar, who was just promoted from the Rookie-level Arizona League on Thursday. DeCarlo also singled in the final run in the seventh, three batters after Chantz Mack plated Mariners' No. 3 prospect Drew Jackson with a single.

"I think it was just a matter of time [until we got to Baragar], we knew what was at hand," Menchaca said. "The kid was pitching well, we had hit some balls hard earlier and couldn't really get much going. Once that inning happened, you could feel the momentum coming our way. The boys felt some pressure [after] it and let our bullpen finish it off."

Joe Pistorese and Thyago Vieira tossed a scoreless frame apiece out of the bullpen for the Blaze, who will be looking to end a 75-year run in Bakersfield with a California League championship.

"I think for the fans and the history there for 75 years, I think it's a great accomplishment," Menchaca said. "If we finish it off and leave our mark, it would be great for the fans who supported us all these years. The support and just the kindness of people and the way they know the game and respected and treated our kids with mutual respect, that's what you want."

Above all, the skipper wants his players to relish what's ahead of them.

"I just [want] these guys to continue to do what they're doing and continue to believe in the process as far as what we're trying to do as an organization -- believing in each other and having fun," Menchaca said. "At the end of the day, it's an experience you'll take with you wherever you go. I just want them to enjoy what's at stake and enjoy the moment."