Brandon Sinnery Throws CG Shutout; Rawhide beat Blaze 5-0

BAKERSFIELD--For the 2nd consecutive night, the Rawhide shut out the top-scoring team in the California League...and this time, they didn't even need their bullpen to finish it.

Brandon Sinnery did all of that on his own, as he tossed the first Complete Game in the California League in 2014, and the Rawhide beat the Blaze 5-0 at Sam Lynn Ballpark on Saturday.

Again, the Rawhide didn't need much offense to win, as they finished the game with only 7 hits. They used them well, however, scoring twice in the 2nd when Fidel Pena doubled, Brandon Drury knocked him in with another double, and Rudy Flores singled to make it 2-0.

The 'Hide scored further in the 7th; Alex Glenn walked, stole 2nd, went to 3rd on a wild pitch, and came home on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Jacobs.

Visalia pulled away in the 8th; Pena again started the rally, this time with a 1-out bunt single. Drury followed with a double to place runners at 2nd and 3rd. Pena scored on a wild pitch, and an out later, Alex Glenn singled to bring in Drury and extend Visalia's lead to 5-0.

That was more than enough for Sinnery, who faced just 3 batters over the minimum in the game. Despite ending the contest with 7 hits, Bakersfield had 3 runners thrown out trying to steal, and another 2 erased on the front ends of double plays.

In the bottom of the 9th, with Sinnery reaching into his last reserves of energy, back-to-back hits put Blaze runners at the corners with 1 out. Manager Robby Hammock came to the mound, appearing poised to remove Sinnery for one of two relievers ready in the bullpen. But after talking to Sinnery, he allowed him to stay in.

Sinnery rewarded his faith, striking out Ryan Wright, and retiring Jesse Winker on a ground ball to 1st to end the contest and ice the Complete Game shutout. 

Bakersfield have now failed to score in 26 consecutive innings...the last 18 against the Rawhide.

Visalia moved back within 4 games of First Place with the win, and will seek to sweep the series tomorrow at 1:00.

**********************************************