larger view

By Matthew Martz / Photo by Frank Domingo Photography

Facing elimination, the Blaze took an early 4-1 lead in the first and hung on to win game three of the Cal League division finals 7-3 on Monday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

After surrendering a lone run in the first, the Blaze put on a hitting clinic in the home half of the inning, beginning with a two out Joey Butler double, followed by an RBI double from Mauro Gomez, and two run homer to left center by Michael Bianucci. The Blaze weren’t finished as Tommy Mendonca drove in a run on soft fly to left, giving the Blaze a 4-1 lead.

In his next at-bat, Gomez helped add to the Blaze lead with a two-run round tripper in the bottom of the second extending Bakersfield’s lead, 6-1.

Solid pitching from Blaze starter Kennil Gomez held the Giants out of the run column for 6.2 innings. Gomez (W, 1-0) surrendered just one run on six hits, while striking out five and walking six.

In a flashback to game two, the Giants launched a comeback in the top of the eighth that began with a pair of doubles to lead off the inning, off reliever Ryan Falcon, cutting the Blaze lead 6-2.

After a quick mound visit, Tyler Tufts would replace Falcon on rubber. Tufts gave up an additional run before forcing a ground out and a double play to end the inning, preserving Bakersfield’s 6-3 lead.

The Blaze added one more in the home half of the frame when Ian Gac scored on a passed ball.

Bakersfield closer Evan Reed loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth, and with the tying run at first, sat down the Giant’s Conor Gillaspie on strikes to end the ballgame.

The series continues with game four on Tuesday at San Lynn Ballpark. The Blaze will look to even the series a two games apiece. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.