Blaze Shut Out Lancaster, 5-0; Win 2nd Straight

The story can't always be Dan Wright, can it? The Arkansas State product took center stage again on Saturday evening in Bakersfield, throwing six shutout innings, and Marquez Smith homered for most of the Blaze offense in what turned out to be a relatively easy 5-0 shutout win over the Lancaster Jethawks, the club's second win in a row.

The game began as a pitchers' duel for the first third, as red-hot Dan Wright (W, 9-4) came out guns blazing once again. Wright allowed just a hit and a walk through the first three innings, and his opponent, lefty Evan Grills (L, 1-3), allowed four baserunners, but stranded them.

In the 4th, the game turned on Wright's arm. Lancaster had the bases loaded with nobody out in the top half, and a huge 1-2-3 double play helped Wright escape. The Blaze road a tidal wave of momentum to two runs in the bottom of the inning, with Sebastian Elizalde and Joe Hudson collecting RBI hits for the 2-0 lead.

In the next inning, the Blaze drove Grills from the game. An error to begin the frame was followed by a Sean Buckley base hit and, who else, Marquez Smith smashing a three-run homer to left, his 26th longball on the year and RBI number 116.

The 5-0 lead for Bakersfield was more than enough. Wright ended up going 6.0 innings of shutout baseball for the win, and Sean Lucas (S, 1), who has been throwing the ball exceptionally well of late, pitched the final three frames for the save.

With fans having fully enjoyed the back-to-back games of the week, the Blaze continue their series with the Lancaster Jethawks in a Sunday high noon affair at Sam Lynn Ballpark. It's AAA Brunch at the Ballpark Sunday, and the Blaze welcome the Bakersfield Church of Christ for a pregame sermon at the park. Gates open at 10:30am.

Can't make it out? Listen live as Dan Besbris has the call on internet only at BakersfieldBlaze.com and TuneIn Radio. Pregame show begins five minutes before first pitch.