Inland Empire Earns Comeback Win Over Blaze

San Bernardino, CA- The 66ers (18-18) finally found some offense as they beat the Bakersfield Blaze (20-14) 4-3 pummeling the Blaze pitching staff for 11 hits on the night. Inland Empire's Jimmy Swift was the offensive star of the game, recording two hits and driving in the game winning run despite entering the contest in the 4th inning.
The 66ers got on the board in the fourth frame which started with singles by right fielder Randal Grichuk and Jimmy Swift. Hot hitting first baseman C.J. Cron brought the base runners home with a two RBI single off of Blaze starter Josh Smith. Cron finished the game going 2 for 3 with the two RBIs.
The 66ers took the lead for good in the seventh inning as center fielder Travis Witherspoon led off with a double and got home on a sac fly by Grichuk. Swift provided the difference maker by hitting a RBI double off of Blaze reliever Daniel Wolford.
"I had a couple opportunities earlier in the game to drive in a couple of runs but didn't come through," said Swift. "We had a fast guy in [Drew] Heid on third and they got two strikes on me and had the infield in. I wanted was to do make contact and put the ball in play."
66ers starter Lay Batista kept the 66ers in the game with a quality start hurling 7 innings, scattering 3 hits and striking out one while walking 3. Errors early in the game lead to an early 3-0 hole after the third inning, but it didn't faze Batista as he continued to get batters out anyway he could to get the win.
The 66ers conclude their series with the Blaze tomorrow at 7:05 pm. It will be Albert Pujols Bobblehead Night as bobbleheads will be given to the first 1,500 fans. The game can be heard on the home of 66ers baseball KCAA 1050 AM beginning with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Pre-Game show at 6:55. For information on 66ers tickets or to schedule your next fun filled group outing, contact the 66ers front office at (909)888-9922, or check out the website 66ers.com.