Today's Star Hurley on fire for Blaze
After totaling two strikeouts in the first two innings, Hurley (3-1) fanned at least two batters in five of the next six frames. He got two in the third, fourth and eighth innings and struck out the side in the fifth and seventh. For his dominant effort, he was named the MiLB.com Star of the Day.
Hurley, a 6-foot-4 right-hander from Jacksonville, Fla., has now won three consecutive decisions since losing to Rancho Cucamonga on Opening Night, April 7. Over his last four appearances, the former first-round pick (Texas Rangers) from 2004 has allowed only three earned runs in 25 innings.
Hurley has been particularly nasty at home games this season. After last night's win at Sam Lynn Ballpark, Hurley is now 3-0 at home with a 0.90 ERA.
Despite Hurley's outstanding effort Tuesday, the Mavericks (17-15) went ahead in the fourth. Mike Stodolka had two hits, including a solo homer in the fourth that gave High Desert a 2-1 lead.
The Blaze (14-18) tied it quickly against reliever Adam Rowe. Roberto Valiente led off the eighth with a single and Jayce Tingler tripled him home. Tim Hulett Jr. delivered the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly.
Danny Touchet struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn his first save.
High Desert starter Luis Cota matched zeros with Hurley, going seven innings and yielding an unearned run on six hits. Cota struck out seven and walked one. Rowe (2-1) allowed two runs and retired one batter.
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Andrew Tarica contributed to this report.