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By Matthew Martz / Photo by Frank Domingo Photography

The Blaze scored nine runs in the first four innings and cruised to an 11-4 victory over the San Jose Giants, winning game four of the Cal League division finals on Tuesday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Ian Gac homered and tied a career high with six RBIs helping the Blaze even the series at two games apiece, and forcing a decisive Game 5 in San Jose on Wednesday.

San Jose struck first scoring a single run in the first, before the Blaze took a 2-1 lead in the home half of the inning on a two RBI single from Ian Gac. In his next at-bat, Gac clubbed a three-run long ball in the bottom of the third extending Bakersfield’s lead, 5-1.

The Giants made a modest comeback in the fourth, scoring three runs to narrow Bakersfield’s lead to 5-4. But the Blaze got a bit of help from the San Jose bullpen in the home half of the frame as they picked up four runs on two singles, two walks, three wild pitches and a fielding error.

A solid performance by Bakersfield starter Tanner Roark held the Giants in check for the next three innings. Roark (W, 1-0) surrendered three earned runs on seven hits, while striking out six and walking three.

Leading 9-4, the Blaze added a single run in the fifth when Jacob Kasse stole home in a double steal attempt, and one more in the sixth on an RBI sac fly to center from Ian Gac, his sixth RBI of the ballgame.

Bakersfield reliever Michael Main relieved Roark to start the eighth and pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three of the six batters he faced.

Aside from Ian Gac’s three run homer and 6 RBIs. David Paisano went 2-for-4 with a single and a double, Davis Stoneburner was 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, a walk and an RBI, and Joey Butler singled and doubled in five at-bats.

The series continues with a decisive game five on Wednesday at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.