Blaze falls to 66ers; Mayberry bids adieu
After being named to the California League's All-Star team last week and hitting his league-leading 16th home run Sunday, John Mayberry Jr. packed his bags and headed to Frisco, Texas.
Apparently the right fielder took Bakersfield's offense with him to Class-AA. The Blaze scored just three runs on four hits in a 4-3 loss to Inland Empire Monday at Sam Lynn Ball Park in front of an announced crowd of 890.
The four-game series continues at 7:30 p.m. today.
"I've been playing with Junior for a couple of years now, and we're all really, really happy for him," Blaze center fielder Truan Mehl said. "He was a mainstay in our lineup. It's tough to replace a guy like him."
In 63 games with the Blaze, Mayberry Jr. hit .230 with 15 doubles and 42 RBIs to go with his gaudy home run total. The Texas Rangers sent Bakersfield Josh Bradbury, a 6-foot-2 outfielder, to take Mayberry Jr.'s place.
"That's what you shoot for, to develop some kids and get them up to the next level," Blaze manager Carlos Subero said. "It was nice. He accomplished what we wanted. He's on track."
Despite the benefit of four Inland Empire errors, Bakersfield's offense struggled throughout. The 66ers started Javy Guerra and the 6-foot-1 right-hander held the Blaze to just one hit through six innings. He gave up two unearned runs.
"They've got a great pitching staff, a lot of hard throwers," Mehl said.
Blaze right fielder Jon Weber broke up the no-hitter in the fourth with a double to left-center field. He later scored on an error by 66ers shortstop Ivan DeJesus.
Inland Empire (35-29) took a 3-0 lead early on a three-run home run by 66ers catcher Lucas May in the first inning. Blaze starter Bear Bay settled down after that, giving up four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts through six.
Because of Inland Empire's struggles in the field, Bakersfield (28-36) had plenty of chances. However, the Blaze went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and made several baserunning mistakes.
"We had plenty of opportunities to put them away and we didn't," Subero said.
Designated hitter Taylor Teagarden did pick up an RBI on a first-inning ground out and Thomas Berkery scored from second on a base hit by Weber in the eighth. But it wasn't enough for Bakersfield's anemic offense.
Apparently the right fielder took Bakersfield's offense with him to Class-AA. The Blaze scored just three runs on four hits in a 4-3 loss to Inland Empire Monday at Sam Lynn Ball Park in front of an announced crowd of 890.
The four-game series continues at 7:30 p.m. today.
"I've been playing with Junior for a couple of years now, and we're all really, really happy for him," Blaze center fielder Truan Mehl said. "He was a mainstay in our lineup. It's tough to replace a guy like him."
In 63 games with the Blaze, Mayberry Jr. hit .230 with 15 doubles and 42 RBIs to go with his gaudy home run total. The Texas Rangers sent Bakersfield Josh Bradbury, a 6-foot-2 outfielder, to take Mayberry Jr.'s place.
"That's what you shoot for, to develop some kids and get them up to the next level," Blaze manager Carlos Subero said. "It was nice. He accomplished what we wanted. He's on track."
Despite the benefit of four Inland Empire errors, Bakersfield's offense struggled throughout. The 66ers started Javy Guerra and the 6-foot-1 right-hander held the Blaze to just one hit through six innings. He gave up two unearned runs.
"They've got a great pitching staff, a lot of hard throwers," Mehl said.
Blaze right fielder Jon Weber broke up the no-hitter in the fourth with a double to left-center field. He later scored on an error by 66ers shortstop Ivan DeJesus.
Inland Empire (35-29) took a 3-0 lead early on a three-run home run by 66ers catcher Lucas May in the first inning. Blaze starter Bear Bay settled down after that, giving up four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts through six.
Because of Inland Empire's struggles in the field, Bakersfield (28-36) had plenty of chances. However, the Blaze went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and made several baserunning mistakes.
"We had plenty of opportunities to put them away and we didn't," Subero said.
Designated hitter Taylor Teagarden did pick up an RBI on a first-inning ground out and Thomas Berkery scored from second on a base hit by Weber in the eighth. But it wasn't enough for Bakersfield's anemic offense.