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By Matthew Martz

The Bakersfield Blaze (45-45) opened a four game series against route 99 rivals Visalia, by winning game one 11-4, on Wednesday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The Rawhide (44-46) who were crushed by the San Jose Giants on July 14, 17-1, have struggled in the second half of the season after spending a majority of the first half of the year in first place in the Cal League North.

The Blaze combined for a total of 12 hits in the ballgame while the pitching staff held the Rawhide to just seven.

Visalia struck quickly with a run in their first at bat, before Bakersfield scored a pair of runs in the first, second and third innings, including a two-run homer from Mauro Gomez, his sixteenth of the season, giving the Blaze a 6-1 lead.

The Rawhide cut the deficit by two, scoring two in the fourth and one in the top half of the fifth.

Leading 6-4, Bakersfield added five runs in the fifth, starting with a lead off double from Ian Gac, who later scored, followed by a three RBI double by Davis Stoneburner, and a two RBI triple from Engel Beltre, giving the Blaze a commanding 11-4 lead.

Blaze starter Kennil Gomez (W, 3-7) returned to action after a three-week absence, giving up seven hits and five runs in five innings, while striking out four. Reliever Beau Jones pitched two scoreless innings, while Tanner Roark and Evan Reed pitched a scoreless frame each.

Rawhide starter Christian Beltre (L, 2-7) allowed eight hits and six earned runs in just four innings, walking one with a lone strike out.

Engel Beltre went 4-for-5 with three singles and a triple, Mauro Gomez was 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, and Mike Bianucci had a double and a walk in four at-bats.

The Blaze will continue their four game series against the Rawhide on Thursday at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

What’s Burning: Engel Beltre leads the Blaze with 17 stolen bases and is tied for sixth in the Cal League.