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By Matthew Martz

The Blaze have not lost a game against the Visalia Rawhide in their last six meetings, that was until the Rawhide edged out the Blaze 5-4, Monday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Bakersfield (36-39) looked like they might extend that streak to seven as they opened the scoring with two runs in their first at-bat, when Jonathan Greene hit a two run knock to left, giving the Blaze a 2-0 advantage.

The Blaze added one more in the second when Mauro Gomez, who led of the inning by reaching on a base on balls, crossed the plate on an Elio Sarmiento sacrifice fly to left.

After being held scoreless for two innings, the Rawhide (42-33) finally got on the scoreboard when Ollie Linton Jr. plated Brendan Duffy on a fielder’s choice, closing the gap 3-1.

Visalia would tie the ballgame at 3-3 on a Kyle Greene two run homer in the top of the fourth, his eighth of the season.

Bakersfield regained the lead 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single to left from Jonathan Greene scoring Engel Beltre who singled to lead off the inning.

But the Rawhide would knot the game in the top of the sixth and produce the go ahead run in the top of the seventh, 5-4.

Blaze starter Kennil Gomez (L, 2-7) would be relieved by Dustin Brader (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) in the top of the seventh who came into the contest with one out and runners at the corners, striking out the next batter to end the inning.

Gomez went 6.2 innings on the mound, allowing five earned runs on eight hits, walking four and striking out two.

Rawhide reliever Jeff Dietz (W, 3-1) who came in for starter Trevor Harden (4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) in the fifth, picked up the win.

Closer Leyson Septimo pitched a scoreless ninth, earning his sixth save of the season.

Blaze newcomer Beau Jones pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Jonathan Greene went 2-for-4 with a home run, a single and 3 RBIs, Jacob Kasse had a double in five at-bats, and Engel Beltre was 1-for-4 with a single and a walk.

The Blaze will play the final game of the three game series against the Visalia Rawhide tonight at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

What’s Burning: Kennil Gomez is second in the Cal League in walks. Issuing 40 free passes in 15 starts and 80.1 innings pitched.

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By Matthew Martz

The Bakersfield Blaze held on to stop a ninth inning Rawhide rally, beating Visalia 5-3, on Sunday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The Blaze have not lost a game against the Rawhide in their last six meetings.

Bakersfield (36-38) opened the scoring with two runs in their first at-bat, when Ian Gac clubbed a two run shot to center, giving the Blaze a 2-0 advantage.

The Blaze added one more in the fourth when Gac singled in Jonathan Greene who tripled to lead off the inning.

After being held scoreless through five, the Rawhide (41-33) would finally get on the board in the top of the sixth when Ollie Linton Jr. scored on a passed ball by Blaze catcher Jose Felix, 3-1.

Blaze starter Tim Murphy would be relieved by Corey Young (1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) in the top of the eighth, after going 7.1 innings on the rubber, allowing no earned runs on six hits, walking five and striking out five.

Bakersfield extended their lead 5-1 in the bottom of the eighth, when Joey Butler hit a two RBI double to left with one out.

The Rawhide weren’t finished however, adding two more of their own in the top of the ninth.

With a runner at second and the tying run at the plate, Blaze closer Evan Reed (SV, 10) would be summoned from the pen, striking out Ed Easley, ending the ballgame.

 Ian Gac went 2-for-4 with a home run, a single and 3 RBIs, Joey Butler had a double, and 2 RBIs in four at-bats, and Jonathan Greene was 2-for-4 with a triple and a single.

The Blaze will play game two of the three game series against the Visalia Rawhide tonight at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

What’s Burning: Evan Reed is fourth in the Cal League with 10 saves. SS Davis Stoneburner committed three errors in Sunday’s contest and has 21 on the season.

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By Matthew Martz

The High Desert Mavericks posted runs in six separate innings to hand the Bakersfield Blaze their biggest loss of the season, 16-8, on Saturday night in front of 1,889 at Mavericks Stadium.

Everything looked good for Bakersfield (35-38), as they would open the scoring, 1-0, in their first at-bat when Engle Beltre scored on a wild pitch after knocking his thirteenth double of the year and advancing to third on a fielder’s choice.

From their the Mavericks (45-28) would go on a six inning scoring spree, as Blaze starter Ryan Falcon (2.1 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) surrendered the Mavericks first four runs in 2-1/3 innings, including a solo homer run by Alex Liddi in the second, tying the game 1-1.

Bakersfield reliever John Slusarz would be summoned from the pen in the third with bases loaded and facing the Mavericks Alex Liddi, who had already homered in the bottom of the second. Liddi would club his second homer of the night, a grand slam to deep center to give the Mavericks a
5-1 lead.

The Blaze would add two runs in the fifth, when Mauro Gomez led off the inning with a home run, his eleventh of the season, followed by an RBI double from Matthew Lawson, narrowing the gap 6-3.

The Mavericks would answer, putting up three runs in the bottom half of the frame and then adding four more in the sixth, to take a commanding 13-3 lead.

Trailing by 10 runs the Blaze would rally in the seventh scoring five runs off Mavericks reliever Marwin Vega.

Timothy Rodriguez started the late inning rally by hitting an RBI triple, followed by a ground rule double from Matthew Lawson, a Davis Stoneburner two RBI double, and a Jonathan Green RBI single, pulling the Blaze within five, 13-8.
The Mavericks weren’t finished however, adding three more of their own in the bottom of the inning, capping the scoring, 16-8.

Blaze starter Ryan Falcon would get the loss (L, 1-1) while Mavericks starter Donald Hume
(W, 8-3) posted his eighth win of the year.

Blaze reliever John Slusarz would be charged with 5 ER, Adalberto Flores with 1 ER, and Hector Nelo for 3 ER.

Mauro Gomez went 2-for-4 with a home run, a single and an RBI, Matthew Lawson had a double, a single and an RBI in four at-bats, Engel Beltre went 1-for-5 with a double, and Davis Stoneburner was 1-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.

The Blaze will return home on June 28 to begin a three game series against the Visalia Rawhide at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

What’s Burning: Reliever Beau Jones has replaced recently promoted Zach Phillips on the Blaze roster.

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By Matthew Martz

The High Desert Mavericks edged out the Blaze (35-37), 3-1, snapping Bakersfield’s six game winning streak on Friday night at Mavericks Stadium.

The Mavericks (44-28) got on the board first in the bottom of the third when Edilio Colina grounded into a fielders choice scoring Jeffrey Dominguez who led off the inning with a double, to give High Desert a 1-0 advantage.

The game would remain scoreless through the next 3-½ innings when the Mavericks would add two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh increasing their lead 3-0.

Blaze starter Ryan Tatusko (6.2 IP, 5H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) held a potent High Desert offense to only one run through six innings and then allowed two earned runs in the seventh by leading of the inning with a walk, giving up a double in the next at-bat, followed by a wild pitch and another double.

Tatusko (L, 1-2), was replaced in the bottom of the seventh by Glenn Swanson (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K) who finished the contest allowing two hits, no runs and striking out two.

Trailing 3-0, the Blaze would mount a modest comeback in the bottom of the eighth when Davis Stoneburner drove in Joey Butler with an RBI double to left, narrowing the deficit 3-1.
Maverick’s starter Steven Hensley (W, 3-1) would sit down the next two Blaze batters in order, preserving a two run advantage.

Bakersfield again would threaten as Engle Beltre led off the ninth with a triple, but was thrown out at the plate trying to stretch that triple into an inside the park home run.

Maverick’s reliever Steven Richard retired the next two Bakersfield batters, closing out the ballgame.

Engel Beltre had a triple and a single in four at-bats, and Davis Stoneburner was 1-for-3 with an RBI double.

The Blaze will play the final game of the three game series against the High Desert Mavericks on June 27 at Mavericks Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: Engel Beltre leads the team in triples with four.

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After sweeping a four game series against the Visalia Rawhide heading into the All-star break, the Bakersfield Blaze (35-36) continued their six game winning streak to begin the second half of the season on Thursday night with a 6-3 win over the hosting High Desert Mavericks.

The Mavericks (43-28) got on the board first when Alex Liddi hit a lead off home run in the bottom of the second to give High Desert a 1-0 advantage.
The Blaze answered back taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth on a two run homer from Jonathan Greene, his ninth of the season before extending their lead to two in the fifth on a Matthew Lawson inside-the-park home run.
Trailing 3-1, the Mavericks would score one run in the sixth to pull within one, 3-2.
Bakersfield would regain a two run edge by adding an insurance run in the seventh when Jose Felix singled in Mauro Gomez who reached base earlier in the inning on a fielders choice, before the Mavericks once again narrowed the gap 4-3, in the bottom of the frame with a two-out RBI single from Joseph Dunigan.
Blaze starter Richard Bleier (W, 5-4) gave up 11 hits but only allowed two earned runs, striking out seven of the 31 batters he faced in 6.2 innings on the mound.

Jonathan Greene would cap the scoring at 6-3 hitting a two run homer to left, his tenth of the year, and second of the contest in the top of the eighth.

Blaze reliever Cory Young pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, before closer Evan Reed (SV, 9) would come into the contest in the bottom of the ninth, sitting down two of the first three batters he faced before issuing a free pass, a single, a force ground out and striking out batter number two to end the ballgame.

Maverick’s starter Juan Ramirez (L, 4-4) toed 6.2 innings on the rubber, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while striking out four.

Jonathan Greene went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double and 4 RBIs, Matthew Lawson had a home run in four at-bats, and Davis Stoneburner was 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.

The Blaze will play game two of the three game series against the High Desert Mavericks on June 26 at Mavericks Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: The Blaze have given up just nine hits in the last six games, an average of 1.5 per game. Pitcher Evan Reed leads the club in saves at nine, fifth in the Cal League.

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Just submit your most interesting story about the Bakersfield Blaze or any former Bakersfield professional baseball affilation, and when four tickets to a Blaze game.

Don't forget to include a picture or two if you have them.

Deadline for submissions is July 10th.

Email them to martz.media@yahoo.com

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Googled Bakersfield Boosters and saw your blog.

Learning of the death of manager Dick Wilson in April of this year sparked my memory. In 1955 Dick was my little leauge coach in Inglewood Ca.

He got the job as the manager of the Boosters succeeding Art Lilly. In the summer of '56  and Dick brought my 11 year old self and my best buddy to Bakersfield as clubhouse boys--batboys.

It was a great experience for a kid who lived and breathed baseball.

Dick had a son John who was my age and was on my little leauge team.

These are some of my memories.

The only Booster I can recall who got to the Big's was pitcher Jim Golden ( Dodgers ). Other players: Gene Caiafa, Don Thompson, Manny Ortega, Rick Conner, Pete Fannon, Bill Henry, and Art Williams.

Ortega and  Caiafa came from San Pedro and Dick referred to them as " the crackpots from Cannery Row". Funny what one remembers.

A couple of other players who came to mind were third baseman Billy Heil and Charlie Pryor. Dick played third, caught some and played first. He was a catcher in most of his previous minor leauge career.

Pitcher Red Lynn, the old LA Angel took me under his wing. He insisted I warm him up in the bullpen.

The GM was Dave Rosenfeld.

Terrible bus rides up the Valley, not for me though.Places like  Lodi, Visalia, Fresno, Stockton, Modesto and all the way up to Reno, and San Jose.

Most teams had an old big leauger as a fan draw I guess. Al Gionfriddo, Joe Brovia, Eddie Bockman, Dick Whitman. Guys like that.

The only guy I remember seeing in the big leauges was Visalia shortstop Ron Hansen who played for thr Orioles.

It was a great experience. I think we got 25 cents a week from each player to shine their shoes and  five bucks from the team for the rest of the stuff.

Dick hit .350 with 33 HR's that year. He was 35 I believe.

I think we came in last. Who cares?

Here's a picture of Dick adressing the team. I'm #7, and my buddy Jack Crocker is #3. Jack ( R ) and myslef 51 years later.

Gene Hunter

Sacramento, Ca.

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Coming off a win against the Lake Elsinore Storm on June 17, the Bakersfield Blaze (34-36) have increased their winning streak to five games, taking four straight of a four game series against the Visalia Rawhide (39-31) this weekend starting on Thursday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The Blaze started off the series with by edging out the Rawhide 2-1 in a 12-inning marathon on Thursday. Blaze starter Ryan Tatusko toed the rubber for 7.2 innings, allowing one earned run on a solo homer in the fourth, plus four other hits while striking out five. Corey Young followed with 3.1 scoreless frames and three strikeouts, and Adelberto Flores (W, 4-1) tossed a scoreless twelfth.

Matthew Lawson would single in Joey Butler in the bottom of the fifth tying the game at one and Engel Beltre singled in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the twelfth.

Pitching would be a big factor in game two on Friday, as the Blaze would shut out Visalia 9-0.

Blaze starter Zach Phillips (W, 2-3) held the Rawhide to a meager two hits and three walks while fanning five in 6.1 innings on the mound.

The Blaze took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two run homer from Jonathan Greene, his eighth of the season, before extending their lead with a pair of runs in the third. The Blaze offense would combine for four runs in the fourth that included a two run homer by Tim Rodriquez, his first of the year, and singles from Joey Butler, Jose Felix, Matthew Lawson and newcomer Jacob Kaase, giving the Blaze a commanding 8-0 lead.

Joey Butler would cap the scoring at 9-0, hitting a solo homer to left, his seventh of the year, in the bottom of the fifth.

Blaze relievers Hector Nelo and Glenn Swanson would pitch scoreless innings, preserving the shutout.

The Blaze would take advantage of several Rawhide miscues in Saturday’s match up, wining game three 4-1, and extending their winning streak to four games.

Bakersfield starting pitcher Tim Murphy (W, 4-6) pitched seven innings, giving up one run on seven hits, issuing a solo walk, and three strikeouts.

The Blaze would jump out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Ian Gac led off the inning reaching on an error and later crossed the plate on a wild pitch. Davis Stoneburner followed by stretching an RBI single into a double on another Rawhide throwing error and later scored on an RBI single from Engel Beltre.

Joey Butler would knock in a run with a two-out double in the third increasing the Blaze lead, 4-0.

Visalia would get one run in the eighth off Murphy making it 4-1.

Blaze closer Evan Reed (SV, 8) would come into the contest in the top of the ninth, sitting down two of the first three batters he faced, before issuing a free pass, and then forcing a ground out in the next at-bat, ending the ballgame.

The Blaze would fall behind 1-0 in the final game of the four game series before bouncing back to win 3-2, sweeping Visalia and extending their winning streak to five games, their longest of the season.

Starter Kennil Gomez allowed only one earned run in six innings for the Blaze, giving up five hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Bakersfield would get the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fourth when Jonathan Greene hit a two RBI double to deep left field scoring Davis Stoneburner and Engel Beltre giving the Blaze a narrow 2-1 advantage.
Visalia answered back knotting the game at two in the sixth before a two-out Joey Butler RBI single in the bottom of the ninth would bring Jonathan Greene home for the win.

Dustin Brader (W, 1-0) shut down the Rawhide, pitching a hitless three innings, issuing a walk and fanning four of the none batters he faced.

Bakersfield has finished the first half of the season two games under .500 and are eight games back of the first place San Jose Giants in the California League North Division.

The Blaze will return to action after the All-Star Break to begin a three game series against the High Desert Mavericks on June 25 at Mavericks Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: The 2009 California-Carolina League All-Star game will be on Tuesday, June 23 at the Diamond in Lake Elsinore, Ca. Two Blaze players will make the trip down to Lake Elsinore to represent the Cal League. Matthew Lawson was voted in as the starting second baseman and third baseman Mauro Gomez was chosen as a utility infielder.

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The Bakersfield Blaze (30-36) avoided a sweep of a three game series combining for 11 hits winning game three, 3-2, on Wednesday against the hosting Lake Elsinore Storm.

Blaze starter Richard Bleier pitched three scoreless innings retiring the first seven batters he faced, allowing only five hits, and two earned runs while striking out six in seven innings on the hill.

The ballgame would remain scoreless until the top of the third when Davis Stonburner would hit a double scoring Catcher Elio Sarmiento who reached on a base-on-balls in an earlier at-bat, giving the Blaze a 1-0 lead.

The Storm (37-29) answered back in the bottom of the fourth with a lead off triple from Brad Chalk, as Beemer Weems would single in Chalk tying the game 1-1.

The Blaze would regain the lead when Davis Stoneburner tripled in the top of the fifth scoring Elio Sarmiento who singled in a prior at-bat. Bakersfield added an insurance run in the top of the sixth after Ian Gac scored on a Mauro Gomez two out single to extend Bakersfield’s lead 3-1.

Bleier (W, 4-4) allowed only one additional run in the bottom half of the seventh, as he gave up four straight hits to begin the inning and then retired the final three batters in order.

Leading 3-2, Blaze reliever Ryan Falcon (1 IP, 1K) would be summoned from the pen in the eighth to relieve Bleier.

Storm starter Corey Kluber (L, 5-6) allowed eight hits, three earned runs, issued one free pass and struck out 14 in seven innings on the mound. Storm reliever Corey Hynes pitched one inning allowing two hits, while Nick Vincent finished the game in the ninth, allowing just a single hit and throwing one strikeout.

Blaze closer Evan Reed (SV, 7) would come into the contest in the bottom of the ninth, sitting down the first two batters, before allowing the tying run to reach base safely, and then forcing a ground out in the next at-bat, ending the ballgame.

Davis Stoneburner went 3-for-5 with a single, double, triple and 2 RBIs, Elio Sarmiento hit two singles and a double in three at-bats, and Ian Gac was 1-for-4 with a double.

The Blaze will return home to begin a four game series against the Visalia Rawhide on Thursday at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

What’s Burning: LHP Bleier has posted a 2.48 ERA in four June starts.

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The Lake Elsinore Storm battered the Blaze pitching for 14 hits, winning game two of a three game series, 8-2, on Tuesday at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore, Calif.

The Storm (37-28) opened the scoring in the top of the first with a leadoff double from Brad Chalk followed by another double by Beemer Weems, as Keoni Ruth would single in Chalk giving the Storm a 1-0 lead.

New arrival, Eric Fry tripled to lead off the top of the second for the Blaze (29-36) and later scored when Mauro Gomez hit a single in the next at-bat to even the score at 1-1.

Blaze starter Kennil Gomez started off the third inning retiring the first two batters then gave up three runs, walking two and giving up a pair of RBI singles, as the Storm increased their lead 4-1.

Bakersfield’s Davis Stoneburner would cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth, on a sacrifice fly to center, plating Joey Butler who led off the inning with a walk.

Gomez (L, 2-6) allowed only one additional run in the fifth, with a total of eight hits and four walks, striking out four in five innings pitched

Trailing 5-2, Blaze reliever Dustin Brader would be summoned from the pen in the sixth to relieve Gomez.

Brader immediately surrendered two singles and a double to the first three batters he faced, generating two more Storm runs. Before the end of the inning Brader gave up another run on a single and a force out, giving the Storm a commanding 8-2 lead.

Storm starter Wynn Pelzer (W, 7-3) allowed seven hits, two earned runs, issued one free pass and struck out eight in six innings on the mound. Storm reliever Aaron Breit pitched two innings allowing just a single hit, while Matt Teague finished the game in the ninth, throwing one strikeout.

Blaze reliever Adalberto Flores would come into the contest in the bottom of the eighth, striking out three of the four batters he faced.

Eric Fry went 2-for-4 with a triple and a double, Jonathan Greene hit an RBI single in four at-bats, and Mauro Gomez was 1-for-4 with an RBI single.

The Blaze will play the final game of the three game series in Lake Elsinore on Wednesday at the Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: DH Eric Fry (.200/.273/.450) was promoted from the Spokane Indians to Bakersfield earlier in the week.

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 Bakersfield's Glenn Swanson walked in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth as the host Lake Elsinore Storm defeated the Blaze, 3-2, on Monday.

After Blaze starter Tim Murphy allowed the Storm (36-28) to score twice on a double, two singles, and an RBI groundout in the in the bottom half of the first, he would recover surrendering no additional runs on five hits and two walks in seven innings pitched.

The Storm’s Keoni Ruth opened the scoring by driving in Brad Chalk with a single. Felix Carrasco then extended the lead to 2-0 by driving in a run on a groundout.

Bakersfield’s Jonathan Greene would cut the deficit in half with a solo home run in the fourth, his seventh of the year, and Matthew Lawson would hit a solo shot in the sixth, also his seventh of the season, tying the game 2-2.

The Blaze (29-35) had their best chance at the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh when Mauro Gomez hit a double to deep right field. Jonathan Greene who was hit by a pitch in a previous at-bat was thrown out on a close play at the plate to end the inning.

Storm starter Cory Luebke held the Blaze to just three hits, two of which were home runs, striking out 11 of the 27 batters he faced in eight innings on the mound. Quakes reliever Bryan Oland (W, 2-1) pitched a three up and three down ninth, earning his second win of the season.

Blaze reliever Glenn Swanson (L, 0-1) would come into the ballgame in the bottom of the eighth walking four of 12 batters faced, including the game winner.

Matthew Lawson went 1-for-3 with a home run, Jonathan Greene hit a home run in three at-bats, and Mauro Gomez was 1-for-3 with a double.

The Blaze will play game two of the three game series in Lake Elsinore on Tuesday at the Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: Matthew Lawson leads the club in hits with 67. Mauro Gomez leads the league in doubles with 21.

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The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes shut out the Bakersfield Blaze to avoid the sweep of the three game series in Sunday’s matinee in front of 3,773 at The Epicenter.

The Quakes (26-37) and Blaze got off to a similar start as game two of the series, with both teams unable to push across a run in the first four innings.

After Blaze starter Zach Phillips retired the first 12 batters in order, the Quakes Efren Navarro led off the fifth by reaching safely on an error. Two batters later Jeremy More would knock in the first run of the contest, as Navarro scored when Blaze second basemen Edwin Garcia let More’s soft grounder roll between his legs into right center, giving the Quakes a 1-0 lead.

Phillips (L, 1-3) carried a perfect game into the fifth inning, pitching seven innings, allowing just one hit, two walks, and fanning seven of the 26 batters he faced.

The Quakes added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th when PJ Phillips led off with a walk, went to second on a passed ball and to third on wild pitch by Blaze reliever Hector Nelo (1 IP, 2H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2K). Rian Kiniry would hit a single in the next at-bat, plating Phillips and capping the scoring 2-0.

The Blaze (29-34) bats were quieted as Quakes starter Alexander Torres (W, 4-2) held the Blaze to just four hits, in eight innings on the mound. Quakes reliever Ysmael Carmona pitched a three up and three down ninth to preserve the win for the Quakes, earning his eighth save of the season.

Engel Beltre went 1-for-4 with a single, Jonathan Greene hit a single in three at-bats, Aja Barto went 1-for-3 with a single, and Edwin Garcia was 1-for-3 with a single.

The Blaze will start a three game series in Lake Elsinore on Monday at the Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

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The Bakersfield Blaze edged the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4-3 in game two of a three game series on Saturday in front of 4,896 at The Epicenter.

The first four innings would be a pitchers duel between Blaze starting pitcher Ryan Tatusko, who replaced regular starter Michael Main, and Quakes starter Jayson Miller.

The Blaze (29-33) would score first in the top of the fifth when Aja Barto led off the inning with a single, reaching second on a sacrifice and advancing to third on an error on a ground ball hit by Matthew Lawson. Davis Stoneburner would then send a three run home run to left breaking the deadlock, giving the Blaze a 3-0 lead.

Bakersfield would increase their lead to 4-0, as Ian Gac led off the sixth knocking a solo homer, his eleventh of the year.

Tatusko (W, 1-1) held the Quakes scoreless for five innings on four hits, a walk, and two strikeouts, before leaving the game in the sixth in place of reliever Adalberto Flores.

Flores would allow the Quakes to climb back into the game by issuing a lead off walk and a single, placing runners at first and third. Julio Perez would hit into a double play in the next at-bat, but the Quakes scored on the play to make the score 4-1. Clay Fuller followed with a solo home run narrowing the deficit to two, 4-2.

The Quakes (25-37) would threaten in the bottom of the ninth putting runners at the corners with no outs, then scoring one run on a wild pitch by Blaze closer Evan Reed. With the tying run on third, Reed retired the third out at the plate to end the game.

Quakes’ starter Jayson Miller (L, 1-4) pitched 5.1 innings, allowing six hits, and three earned runs while striking out three. Relievers Haynes and Eddie McKiernan pitched 3.2 innings out of the Quakes bullpen allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out two.

Blaze closer Evan Reed (1 IP, 1H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3K); gave up one run against the five batters he faced, enough to preserve the lead and earn his sixth save of the season.

Ian Gac went 1-for-4 with his eleventh home run of the year and an RBI, Davis Stoneburner went 1-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs, and Aja Barto was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a walk.

The Blaze will play the three game series finale on Sunday against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes at The Epicenter. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

What’s Burning: Ian Gac is tied for third in the Cal League in home runs.

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The Blaze (28-33) started their three game series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes taking game one 6-3 Friday in front of 4,705 at The Epicenter.

The Blaze would score the game's first run when Davis Stoneburner singled and went to third on a sacrifice bunt and a throwing error. Mauro Gomez grounded out to score Stoneburner and give Bakersfield a 1-0 lead.

The Blaze would extend their lead to 4-0 on an Aja Barto two-run shot to right, his first of the year, followed by a triple by Jose Felix, and an RBI ground out from Edwin Garcia.

Bakersfield would add another run in the fourth as Davis Stoneburner singled with one out and scored from first on a throwing error giving the Blaze a 5-2 lead.

The Quakes (25-36) would answer back with on run in the bottom half of the frame as the lead off batter reached on an error and then went to second on a wild pitch by Bleier. Bleier would hit the next Quakes batter and with runners on the corners, the Quakes would pull off a double steal scoring one to narrow the gap, 5-3.

The Blaze would add an insurance run in the seventh when Ian Gac walked with two outs and after a wild pitch advanced to second, before Joey Butler singled to right scoring Gac capping the score 6-3.

Blaze starter Richard Bleier (W, 3-4) struck out four, allowed four hits, two earned runs, and walked one in sevens innings on the mound, before reliever Ryan Falcon (1 IP, 1H) would be summoned from the pen in the eighth.

The Blaze’s Evan Reed entered the game in the ninth (1 IP, 2 K); preserving the win and earning his fifth save of the season.

Quakes starter Robert Fish (L, 1-5) pitched seven innings on the mound facing 33 batters, allowing nine hits, two earned runs, two walks and seven strikeouts. Reliever Ryan Braiser pitched two scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.

Aja Barto went 1-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Joey Butler hit an RBI single in four at-bats, and Davis Stoneburner went 3-for-5 with a pair of singles and a double.

The Blaze will play game two of the three game series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Saturday at The Epicenter. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

What’s Burning: RHP Dustin Brader assigned to Bakersfield Blaze from Spokane Indians.

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The San Jose Giants (34-26) snuffed out the Blaze (27-33) 12-2 in the series finale Thursday in front of 1,020 at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Blaze starter Kennil Gomez held the Giants scoreless through three innings, and then was tagged with six runs in the sixth inning.

The Blaze took their only lead of the ballgame in the top half of the first that started when Engle Beltre reached base safely on a walk with one out. With Ian Gac at the dish, Beltre would then steal second and third. Gac would ground out to short as Betlre crossed home scoring the first run of the inning. In the next at-bat, Mauro Gomez would crush a solo home run to left, his tenth of the year, extending Bakersfield’s lead to 2-0.

Gomez (L, 2-5) struck out eight, but allowed eight hits, seven runs (four earned), and two walks in six innings on the mound.

Trailing 2-0 the Giants would erupt, scoring six runs in the top of the fourth off Gomez, who gave up a walk, two singles, a double and a pair of San Jose home runs, giving the Giants a 6-2 lead.

San Jose added to their lead with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to cushion their lead to 8-2.

Giants’ starter Scott Barnes (W, 6-3) held the Blaze to just two more hits, all of which came in the first three innings of the contest.

Barnes pitched seven innings on the mound, allowing three hits, two earned runs, one walk and seven strikeouts before relievers Daniel Rumler and Daniel Turpen would each pitch scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.

Blaze reliever Glenn Swanson entered the game in the seventh (2 IP, 3H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3K), giving up one run against the nine batters he faced.

Dustin Brader made his debut for Bakersfield, allowing four runs in one inning on five hits.

Ian Gac went 0-for-3 with an RBI, Jonathan Greene hit a double in four at-bats, Davis Stoneburner went 1-for-4 with a single, and Mauro Gomez was 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.

The Blaze will depart on a six game road trip that will begin with a three game series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes tonight at The Epicenter. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

What’s Burning: Engel Beltre stole his 10th and 11th bases.

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The Bakersfield Blaze (27-32) committed five errors helping the San Jose Giants win 10-5 in game two of a three game series Wednesday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The Giants (33-26) took the lead in the top half of the first when Buster Posey hit a two-out, two run homer to right center, followed Roger Kieschnick’s solo home run to straightaway center, giving San Jose a 3-0 lead.

Blaze starter Tim Murphy (L, 3-6) allowed five earned runs on 11 hits, fanning four in 5.2 innings on the hill.

Bakersfield scored a single run in the bottom of the first narrowing the gap 3-1, as Engle Beltre crossed the plate on a Joey Butler ground out. Beltre tripled earlier in the inning.

The Giants took advantage of three fielding errors committed by Blaze shortstop Edwin Garcia to score two more runs in the second, extending their lead 5-1. The Murphy-Felix tandem would allow five stolen bases in the contest including two in the second.

Trailing by four, the Blaze answered with three runs in the bottom of the second as the first five hitters of the inning all recorded hits. Back-to back doubles from Eric Fry and Mauro Gomez produced the first run, before Davis Stoneburner reached on a bunt single to put runners on first and third. Jose Felix followed with an RBI single and Matthew Lawson hit a sac-fly to right center to cut the deficit to 5-4.

Two errors from Blaze third baseman Davis Stoneburner in the top of the fifth inning led to another run as the Giants padded their lead to 9-4, scoring single runs in the fourth and fifth before adding two more in the top of the sixth.

Down by five in the seventh, the Blaze got back-to back doubles by Mauro Gomez and Jose Felix cutting the Giants’ lead to 9-5.

The Giants would cap the scoring in the top of the eighth adding an insurance run making it 10-5.

Giants’ starter Garrett Broshius (W, 4-1) pitched 6.1 innings on the mound, allowing eight hits, five earned runs, and three strikeouts before being replaced by reliever David Mixon (2/3 IP, 0H, 0 ER, 0BB, 0 K) in the seventh. Wilmin Rodriguez (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) needed only eight pitches in the bottom of the eighth and Steve Edlesen (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) struck out a pair during a scoreless ninth.

Blaze reliever Hector Nelo (1 IP, 1K) entered the game in the ninth after Ryan Tatusko (2.1IP, 3H, 1 ER 1 BB, 4K) faced 11 batters in the middle innings giving up one run on three hits.

Mauro Gomez went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, Jose Felix hit a double and a single with two RBIs in four at-bats, Engle Beltre went 1-for-4 with a triple, and Matthew Lawson had an RBI on a sacrifice out.

The Blaze will continue their series against the Giants on Thursday at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard live via streaming audio at homefieldsports.com.

What’s Burning: Bakersfield committed a season high six errors. 11 games remain in the first half.

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The 2009 California-Carolina League All-Star teams have been announced and two Blaze players will make the trip down to Lake Elsinore to represent the Cal League. Matthew Lawson was voted in as the starting second baseman and third baseman Mauro Gomez was chosen as a utility infielder.

Through Tuesday, Lawson is fourth on the team with a .311 batting average, 6 homeruns, 29 RBIs, 34 runs, and a team-leading 65 hits.

Gomez is second on the team in doubles (18), homeruns (9), and leads the team with 40 RBIs to go along with a .272 average.

The game will take place at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore on Tuesday June 23.

With every starter currently hitting .300 or better and the top six home run hitters, still in the league, this is one of the most potent line-ups in the history of the California-Carolina League All-Star Game.

Two other Blaze stars are on their way to Double-A Frisco. Outfielder Tim Smith and pitcher Tanner Roark have been promoted to the RoughRiders of the Texas League. Smith boasted a .333 batting average with 4 homeruns, 19 RBIs, and 18 runs. Roark was a key ingredient to the success of the Blaze bullpen with a record of 1 - 0, 2.36 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and only 6 walks in 26.2 innings.

Smith and Roark have been replaced on the roster by Aja Barto and Hector Nelo, who was removed from the Disabled List.

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The Bakersfield Blaze (27-31) ended their three game losing skid against the San Jose Giants (32-26) by winning the first of a three game series Tuesday at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Blake Beaven held the Giants to just one run and four hits through eight solid innings on the mound while Evan Reed slammed the door on a San Jose rally in the ninth, preserving the 5-3 win at home.

The Giants took the lead in the top half of the second when Buster Posey scored on a fielder’s choice giving San Jose a 1-0 lead.

Beaven (W, 5-4) posted one of his best performances of the season facing 30 batters walking two and striking out six. Beaven is 5-0 in his last seven starts.

Bakersfield tied the ballgame in the third when Matthew Lawson drove in Davis Stoneburner with a single to right. Stoneburner stretched a single into a double in a prior at-bat.

In the bottom of the fourth, with bases loaded and one away, Bakersfield would take the lead, never to trail in the game as Jose Felix would hit a sac-fly to right plating one run as Davis Stoneburner hit a single to add another in the next at-bat extending the Blaze lead to 3-1.

The Blaze again increased their lead by adding two runs in the seventh, on an RBI single from Joey Butler and a solo home run to left by Ian Gac, his tenth of the season.

Trailing 5-1 in the eighth, the Giants would mount a modest comeback finally being able to break out against Beaven, who had retired 12 consecutive San Jose batters. The Giants strung together two hits and two runs to close the gap 5-3, before Beaven would recover striking out his sixth batter of the night.

Giants’ starter Paul Oseguera (L, 0-1) pitched five innings on the mound, allowing four hits, three earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts before being replaced by reliever T.J. Brewer (2 IP, 3H, 2 ER, 1BB, 2 K) in the seventh. Craig Whitaker pitched just one inning with a single walk and strikeout.

Blaze reliever Evan Reed (SV 4) entered the game in the ninth after Corey Young (.1IP, 1H, 2 BB, 1K) loaded the bases with one away. Reed would face one batter, as he would force the Giants David Maroul to ground into a double play ending the inning and the game.

Ian Gac went 1-for-4 with a home run, and an RBI, Joey Butler hit an RBI single in four at-bats, Davis Stoneburner went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and an RBI, and Matthew Lawson was 1-for-2 with an RBI single and a pair of walks.

The Blaze will continue their series against the Giants tonight at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard live via streaming audio at homefieldsports.com.

What’s Burning: Ian Gac leads the team in home runs with 10, and is tied for fifth in the Cal League.

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The San Jose Giants (32-25) went yard four times beating the Blaze 9-2, capping a four game series with three wins in Sunday’s matinee at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.

The Giants took advantage of Blaze starter Michael Main and a steady wind to left-center hitting six home runs in the contest.

Main (L, 4-6) yielded three home runs in four innings, leading to eight earned runs, while walking two and striking out five. Main had allowed only three home runs in his first nine starts and most recently has allowed six in three starts.

San Jose never trailed in the game, scoring in each of the first four innings against the Blaze.

In the bottom of the first, Thomas Neal smacked a two-out solo homer to deep right center field before Roger Kieschnick led off the second with a line drive home run to straightaway center.

In the bottom of the third, Tyler Graham belted a two-run homer to deep left field extending the San Jose lead to 4-0.

Bakersfield would finally answer back scoring one run in the top of the fourth inning when Jonathan Greene hit a two-out solo homer, his sixth of the year, before the Giants responded scoring four times in the bottom of the inning extending their lead to 8-1.

The Blaze narrowed the deficit to five by adding two runs in the top of the sixth inning when Ian Gac lofted a two-out, two-run homer to left center, his ninth of the season.

The Giants capped the scoring in the bottom of the sixth when Tyler Graham hit the first pitch of the inning over the left field wall, his second of the contest.

Giants’ starter Craig Clark (W, 5-2) pitched six innings on the mound, allowing six hits, three earned runs, a lone walk and five strikeouts before being replaced by reliever David Mixon (2 IP, 1H, 2 K) in the seventh. Craig Whitaker pitched just one inning with two strikeouts.

Blaze relievers Ryan Falcon (3 IP, 4H, 1 ER, 4 K) and Adalberto Flores (1 IP, 1H, 1 BB) faced a total of 18 batters after coming into the game to work damage control in the fifth.

Ian Gac went 2-for-4 with a home run, a single, and two RBIs, Jonathan Greene hit a home run in three at-bats, and Matthew Lawson was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.

The Blaze and Giants will return to action on Tuesday starting a three game series at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard live via streaming audio at
homefieldsports.com.

What’s Burning: Ian Gac is the Cal league Player of the Week after hitting .355 with five homers

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Although we are playing baseball, there are aspects of this game that teach us, the players, things that we will be able to take with us long after we are done playing this glorious game. One of the most important aspects, I believe, is the ability to adapt to your environment and to be able to get along with people and thrive with people that might not hold the same core values as you, or might have a completely different background from you. One way that this is addressed is the coming together of players from different countries, and learning how to cope with their ways of life and customs, making sure that nothing you do offends anybody.

Having players from a different country can be an invaluable learning tool on the team. Not only do you get to learn from these people and learn their background but it can make you discover something about yourself and bring out qualities in you that you might have not known you had. Having players from the Dominican Republic , Venezuela , Puerto Rico, and Mexico on your team helps you break down cultural barriers and become friends with people from different cultures.

The 2009 Bakersfield Blaze is a melting pot when it comes to the nations represented, because not only are the Latinos wanting to soak up every ounce of American culture they can get, but we can learn things from them, too. There are many times in the bullpen that we all sit and talk together and the Latin players share stories about where they came from, the houses they lived in, and how they got signed, and we in turn share our stories as well. In my first professional season, when I walked into the Spokane Indians clubhouse and heard just as much Spanish being spoken as English, it was for certain a culture shock. When you start to let yourself open up, you realize that these Latin players have it harder than we do. I couldn’t begin to imagine coming to a country where you can’t even order off the dollar menu at McDonalds, and yet you are expected to survive eight months out of the year in a country that you know little about.

For the most part I have seen the Latin players trying to learn as much English as they can, and this is reinforced by a Ranger policy of providing English classes for them. Many times English-speaking and Spanish-speaking players will talk together in a “Spanglish” type language, with each party trying to learn the other’s language! Not only is the language a barrier, but simple things as diets, music, and customs are different as well. The Latin players have a tendency to be a tad nosier than their American counterparts, and learning to deal with that can sometimes cause the most friction between the Spanish and American ballplayers. Everyone has to learn to adapt to everyone’s customs and tendencies, and that can sometimes be frustrating.

Sometimes the language barrier can have an effect on trying to carry on conversations, but there are plenty of people on the team that speak both English and Spanish that help both sides get along. Some of the most fun that the American guys have is learning new Spanish words to expand their vocabulary, and if you happen to tune your ears to the bullpen it’s not uncommon to hear pitcher asking each other how to say different words. The players get along for the most part; there are always going to be your normal squabbles but that just comes from being around everyone all the time.

When it comes to dealing with the pressures of getting along with people of different backgrounds and cultures, I believe that minor league baseball has to be one of the best ways to prepare you. There are many other things that baseball teaches us that we will be able to carry with us in the future, but this I believe is one of the greatest lessons of all.

As always, thank you for reading, and if you have questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to email me at Ryan.Tatusko@gmail.com. Thanks!

– Ryan

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The San Jose Giants (31-25) nipped the Blaze 5-2 taking game three of a four game series Saturday at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.

San Jose would get on the board in the bottom of the first on back-to back doubles, taking a 1-0 lead.

The Giants would add three more in the third that when Blaze starter Richard Bleier loaded the bases with two outs then allowed a 3 RBI triple by Roger Kieschnick to deep right center field, extending San Jose’s lead 4-0.

Bleier (L, 2-4) struck out seven and walked one in six innings, giving up four runs on six hits.

The Blaze (26-30) cut San Jose’s lead in half in the seventh inning as Joey Butler led off by drawing a walk before Ian Gac would smash a ball to left center field that carried over the wall for a two-run homer. The home run, Gac’s third of the series, narrowed the lead 4-2.

San Jose scored their final run of the night in the bottom of the seventh on Graham’s inside-the-park homer off of Blaze reliever Glenn Swanson.

Giants starter Clayton Tanner (W, 4-1) would be charged with the two runs going six innings on the mound, allowing two hits, a pair of walks and seven strikeouts before being replaced by reliever Edwin Quirarte (2 IP, 1H, 3 K) in the seventh. Wilmin Rodriguez would earn his first save of the season closing out the ninth

Blaze reliever Glenn Swanson (2 IP, 1H, 1 ER, 2 K) made his Bakersfield debut in the seventh and eighth innings retiring six of the seven batters he faced.

Ian Gac went 2-for-4 with a home run, a single, and two RBIs, and Aja Barto went 1-for-2 with a double.

The Blaze and Giants will play the final game of the four game series on Sunday at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. The game can be heard live via streaming audio by at www.sjgiants.com.

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The San Jose Giants (30-25) won in dramatic fashion in extra innings taking game two of a four game series Friday at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.

The contest went 13 innings before San Jose’s Buster Posey hit a solo walk off home run off Zach Phillips, ending the ballgame 4-3.

The Blaze (26-29) would score first in the top of the fifth when Jose Felix drove home Ian Gac who singled to lead off the inning. Bakersfield would add another run, as Jonathan Greene would cross the plate on a Davis Stonburner RBI single to center. Greene doubled earlier in the inning, his twelfth of the year.

Giants starter T.J. Brewer would be charged with the two runs going 6.1 innings on the mound, allowing five hits, one walk and six strikeouts before being replaced by reliever Steve Edelfsen (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K) in the sixth.

San Jose would even the score at two scoring runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings off Blaze starter Kennil Gomez who allowed seven hits, four walks, one strikeout, and two earned runs in 5.1 IP.

Both teams would remain scoreless heading into the ninth inning when the Blaze would push across what would appear to be the winning run on a single to left from Jonathan Greene scoring Ian Gac who singled in a previous at-bat to take the lead 3-2.

But the Giants would stave off defeat scoring the equalizer in the bottom half of the frame tying the game at three, with a single to left that plated the innings leadoff batter who reached on a walk, off reliever Evan Reed (2 H, 1 ER, 2BB, 1 K, 1 IP). The Blaze’s OF Eric Fry gunned down the potential game-winning run at home as Ryan Lormand would also try scoring on the play.

Bakersfield would miss an opportunity to pull ahead in the top of inning thirteen with one away and runners on first and second, as Giants reliever Daniel Turpen (W, 3-1) retired the next two batters in order, stranding both runners on base to end the inning.

Zachary Phillips (L, 1-2) would take the mound in the bottom of tenth and would pitch three innings (1 H, 1 ER, 4 K) before surrendering the game winner in the bottom of the thirteenth on a solo walk-off home run by Buster Posey, his ninth of the season.

Blaze reliever Tanner Roark (2.2 IP, 1H, 5 K) saw action in the sixth and seventh retiring eight of the nine batters he faced.

Matthew Lawson was 3-for-6 with three singles, Ian Gac went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles, Jonathan Greene was 2-for-4 with a single, double and RBI, and Davis Stoneburner went 2-5 with a single, double and an RBI.

The Blaze and Giants will play game three of the four game series tonight at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The game can be heard live via streaming audio by at www.sjgiants.com.

What’s Burning: Matthew Lawson leads the club in hits with 61 and RBIs with 28. Kennil Gomes leads the clubs pitching staff in strikeouts with 61.

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The Bakersfield Blaze (26-28) gained ground pulling to within just three games back of the third place San Jose Giants (29-25) in the Cal League North, winning game one of a three game series Thursday at Municipal Stadium in San Jose.

Blaze starter Tim Murphy (W, 3-5) had his best appearance by far this season shutting out the Giants 4-0. Murphy allowed only 3 H, and no walks, while fanning four in 6 innings pitched.

Both teams would remain scoreless until the Blaze broke the deadlock scoring three runs in the top of the fourth off Giants’ starter Scott Barnes.

Barnes (L, 5-3), despite striking out a season-high eight batters over just four innings, surrendered three runs on five hits, including two back-to-back home runs, while also issuing a single walk, before leaving the hill in the top of the fifth.

Timothy Smith would get the first of the Blaze back-to–back homers when he crushed a two-run blast over the center field wall, his fourth of the season. In the very next at-bat, Ian Gac sent a solo bomb over the wall in center extending the Bakersfield lead, 3-0.

Giants reliever Mitch Lively (2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) worked a pair of innings out of the Giants bullpen and allowed Gac’s second home run of the night – a solo shot to leadoff the sixth, extending the blaze lead 4-0.

San Jose would again turn to their bullpen bringing in David Mixon and Daniel Turpen to work damage control in the remaining three frames.

Blaze relievers Ryan Tatusko (2 IP, 1H, 2 K) and Corey Young (1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) were impressive combining for three shutout innings and preserving the win.

Tim Smith was 2-for-4 with a home run, a single and two RBIs, Ian Gac went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and 2 RBIs, and Matthew Lawson went 2-4 with a triple and walk.

The Blaze and Giants will play game two of the four game series tonight at Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard live via streaming audio by at www.sjgiants.com.

What’s Burning: The Blaze have allowed seven runs in their last five games.

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With their 4 -3, twelve-inning victory on Wednesday, the Blaze were able to earn a split with the nearby Visalia Rawhide. Despite being eight games behind the first-place Rawhide, the Blaze played as if they were the division leaders. This four-game series took the Route 99 rivalry to a whole new level as each game was won by a one-run margin, including two 1 - 0 games.

In a series highlighted by low scores and great pitching performances, game four was no exception. Considering how the first three games played out, it makes sense that it would take extra innings for a team to score more than three runs.

Blake Beaven took the mound for the Blaze and carried his May success over into June. Although he was not credited with the win, Beaven tossed 6 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts.

For the season, Beaven is 4 - 4 with a 4.71 ERA, 39 strikeouts, and only 14 walks in 59.1 innings.

Visalia tagged Beaven with a run in the first inning when a leadoff walk to Ollie Linton Jr., followed by his theft of second base, turned into a run two batters later on a Colin Cowgill double.

In the top of the third the Blaze responded with two runs. Matthew Lawson singled to lead off the inning and scored when the next batter, Engle Beltre, doubled to right field and advanced to third on a fielding error by Cowgill. Beltre would come home one batter later on a Joey Butler groundout.

After scattering four hits in three scoreless innings, Beaven ran into trouble in the fifth. He plunked Linton Jr. to lead off the inning and, much like the first inning, Linton swiped second for his 10th steal on the year. He would come around to score two batters later on a Konrad Schmidt single.

After five innings the scoreboard showed two runs apiece for the Blaze and Rawhide and it would be a while before it would change again.

Opposing Beaven on the bump for Visalia was Trevor Harden (1 - 3, 2.59 ERA). Harden threw seven strong innings allowing 2 runs (1 earned), on 8 hits and 1 walk.

Both the Blaze and Rawhide bullpens picked up where the starters left off. For the Blaze, Ryan Falcon tossed 2.1 innings of one-hit ball before handing the ball off to Evan Reed. Reed, showing an uncommon lack of command, walked three batters in 1.2 scoreless innings but also struck out three.

Replacing Harden in the eighth was Florida State alum Bryan Henry (2 - 1, 3.48 ERA). Henry kept the Blaze hitters at bay for three innings, striking out three and allowing two hits.

With the score still tied at two going into the twelfth, the Blaze finally put another mark on the board. Davis Stoneburner led off the inning with a single and moved to third when 3B Kyle Greene committed a throwing error on a Matt Lawson sacrifice attempt. Two batters later Joey Butler singled for hit third hit of the game, scoring Stoneburner to break the tie and moving Lawson to third. Tim Smith stepped to the plate next and added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to score Lawson. The Blaze half of the inning ended with the visiting team ahead by two runs.

Adalberto Flores, having pitched a scoreless eleventh, stayed on to work the bottom of the twelfth. After retiring the first two batters, Flores gave up a solo shot to Konrad Schmidt. Thankful for the insurance run his team scored in the top of the inning, Flores struck out the next batter to end the game and earn his third win of the season.

After the game, the Blaze jumped back on their bus for a trip to San Jose to start a four-game series against the Giants. Game one is scheduled for Thursday at 7:00 at Municipal Stadium.

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The Bakersfield Blaze have teamed up with Home Field Sports to get Bakersfield Blaze Baseball back on the airwaves. For the two-week stretch drive in June fans will be able to listen to live, online Blaze play-by-play as the Blaze fight for the first-half title.

Beginning with the Tuesday, June 9th home game against the San Jose Giants and continuing until the All-Star Break, fans can tune in and hear all the play-by-play action at homefieldsports.com or bakersfieldblaze.com. Just follow the pro tab to the Blaze broadcast.

William Calvert will call the action for the Blaze. Blaze fans may be familiar with Calvert's voice; he called games for Bakersfield during the 2007 season. Prior to the 2009 season, Calvert worked as the number two broadcaster with the Lancaster JetHawks from 2006-2008.

First broadcast is set for Tuesday, June 9th against the San Jose Giants. First pitched is called for 7:30 PM with the pre-game show at 7:15 PM on homefieldsports.com. It's a Taco Tuesday at the ballpark with $1.50 tacos available throughout the game and $1.50 Tecate beers available through the fifth inning.

Great tickets for Bakersfield Blaze games are available now. Contact the Blaze box office by phone at (661) 716-HITS.

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In a reverse repeat of Monday’s game, the Rawhide (33-19) shut out the Blaze (24-28), 1-0 in game three of a four game series Tuesday at Recreation Park, in Visalia.

Blaze starter Michael Main (L, 4-5) walked three of the first six batters he faced, then settled into a groove allowing only one hit, one earned run, walking four and striking out four through 5.1IP.

Both teams had their share of opportunities to take the lead, leaving runners stranded in scoring position on several occasions, combing for a total of ten hits in the ballgame.

In the top of the second Bakersfield’s Joey Butler hit a lead off double to get into scoring position as the next three batters were retired in order. The Rawhide got the next runner into scoring position when Kyle Greene got a two out double in the bottom half of the third as Collin Cowgill would strike out swinging in the next at-bat.

The games only run came in the bottom of the sixth when Elijah Rumler hit a double to left to leadoff the inning. Main would walk Kyle Greene and give up a single in the next at-bat to Konrad Schmidt, loading the bases with one away.

Blaze reliever Zach Phillips would take the mound in the middle of the sixth with the bases loaded and one out facing Visalia’s Ryne White who hit a sac-fly plating Rumler to give the Rawhide the 1-0 lead. Phillips would walk the next batter, and with runners at second and third would force a groundout to end the inning.

Rawhide starter Brian Shaw would hold the Blaze to just two hits through the first five innings, striking out two and walking two before reliever Tom Layne (W, 3-1) would be summoned from the pen in the sixth.

The Blaze challenged Layne in the top of the eighth when Matthew Lawson hit a one out single followed by a bunt single from Engle Beltre, and a single from Timothy Smith to load the bases.

Rawhide closer Jorge Perez (SV, 3) would relieve Layne preventing the Blaze from plating the tying run. Perez earned the save, his second in the series.

Matthew Lawson was 1-for-4 with a single, Joey Butler had a double and walk in four at-bats, and Engel Beltre was 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.

The Blaze will play the final game of the four game series against the Visalia Rawhide at Recreation Park on Wednesday, June 3. First pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: Joey Butler leads the team in hits with 54.

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Blaze starter Richard Bleier pitched a complete game, shutting out the Visalia Rawhide 1-0 in game two of a four game series Monday at Recreation Park, in Visalia.

Bleier (W, 2-3) allowed one walk and two hits while striking out three in his first professional complete-game against the division leading Visalia Rawhide.

The Blaze (24-27) and the Rawhide (32-19) would combine for a total of just seven hits in the ballgame with one total run for the two clubs.

Both teams did have their share of opportunities to take the lead leaving runners stranded in scoring position several times.

In the bottom of the third the Rawhide’s Taylor Harbin hit a two out double, but would be left in scoring position, as the next batter would be retired. The Blaze’s Joey Butler would lead off the top of the fifth with a single and Jose Felix would reach base on a walk. But with runners at first and second with two away, Edwin Garcia would ground out to end the inning leaving the pair stranded on the base pads.

Rawhide starter Joshua Collmenter would hold the Blaze to just two hits through the first five innings, striking out five and walking two before reliever Jordan Norberto (L, 3-1) would see action on the mound, coming into the game in the sixth.

The games only run came in the top of the seventh as Ian Gac would drill a solo home run to center, clearing the wall by several feet, giving the Blaze a 1-0 lead.

Norberto would give up the games only run, allowing two hits, one earned run and striking out three, in just two innings pitched.

The Blaze would threaten in the top of the ninth when Mauro Gomez hit a one out double putting the Blaze in scoring position, but the next two batters would be retired in order.

Bleier would complete his shutout retiring three straight in the bottom of the ninth, ending the game 1-0.

Matthew Lawson was 1-for-3 with a single and a walk, Joey Butler had single in four at-bats, Mauro Gomez went 1-for-4 with a double, and Ian Gac was 1-for-4 with the game winning solo homer, his fifth of the season.

The Blaze will play game three of the four game series against the Visalia Rawhide at Recreation Park on Tuesday. First pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: Mauro Gomez has taken over the top spot with 17 doubles, since Moreland’s departure to the Frisco Roughriders.

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The Blaze’s (23-27) late rally would not be enough as they fell to the Visalia Rawhide 3-2 in game one of a four game series Sunday at Recreation Park, in Visalia.

Another decent performance from Blaze starter Kennil Gomez (L, 2-4) kept Bakersfield in the hunt for the win as Gomez struck out six and walked three in 6.1 innings, permitting three runs (one earned) on four hits.

Both sides would remain scoreless through 4.5 innings when the Rawhide’s (32-18) Daniel Rodriguez hit a two RBI double in the bottom of the fifth scoring Ryne White, who reached on a walk and Konrad Schmidt who singled in a previous at-bat, to take a 2-0 lead.

Rawhide starter Patrick McAnaney (W, 5-1) would hold the Blaze to just three hits through seven innings, striking out four and retiring 21 of the 24 batters he faced.

The Rawhide would add another run in the seventh when Gomez would walk three putting runners on second and third with one away as Rawhide LF Daniel Rodriguez knocked one
In on a single to left increasing Visalia’s lead 3-0.

Bakersfield reliever Corey Young (3 K, 1.2 IP) would be summoned from the pen with runners at second and third and one out. Young would retire the next two batters to end the inning.

Rawhide reliever Jorge Perez (S, 2) would see action on the hill coming into the game in the eighth and after retiring three straight was in for a wild finish in the ninth.

Matthew Lawson started of the Blaze half of the ninth with a lead off single and immediately moved to second on a wild pitch by Perez. With one out and Lawson at second Joey Butler took Perez yard with a two-run shot to right center, putting Bakersfield on the scoreboard 3-2.

Perez then retired Mauro Gomez and Jonathan Greene, who went down swinging ending the ballgame.

Matthew Lawson was 1-for-4 with a single, Joey Butler had a two-run homer, his sixth home run of the year in four at-bats, and Mauro Gomez went 1-for-4 with a double.

The Blaze will continue the four game series against the Visalia Rawhide at Recreation Park on Monday. First pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: RHP Kennil Gomez has 60 strikeouts in 51.1 innings, second best in the Cal League.

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Blaze starter Tim Murphy allowed 14 of the 26 batters he faced to reach base safely in Saturday’s 9-5 loss against the Stockton Ports, in front of 1,702 at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The Ports (19-30) combined for 10 hits in the game and were already leading 5-0 in the bottom of the third when Blaze OF Matthew Lawson delivered Bakersfield’s first hit of the game with a two-run homer over the field wall off Ports starter Scott Hodson reducing the deficit 5-2

The Blaze (23-26) would inch closer in the bottom of the fourth as Davis Stoneburner’ s grounder to the hole combined with a Ports fielding error at third scored two runs, one of which Davis was credited for the RBI, narrowing the gap 5-4.

Murphy’s miserable start would continue into the top of the fifth walking home a run with bases loaded and nobody out giving the Ports a 6-4 lead.

Murphy would get the hook in the fifth, as Bakersfield’s Ryan Tatusko would be summoned from the bullpen with base loaded and no outs. Tatusko would work his way out of the inning but not before giving up a pair of inherited runs that would increase the Ports lead 9-4.

All four runs that scored in the fifth inning were charged to Murphy (L, 2-5) who allowed nine runs (seven earned) on eight hits while walking five and striking out three.

After being thrown into the fire in the fifth, Tatusko then retired 11 of 12, including four via strikeout, with one reaching on an error, pitching four scoreless frames.

Ports reliever Pat Currin (W, 2-2) would pick up the win, pitching 2.1 innings allowing one hit, one walk and striking out one.

Matthew Lawson was 1-for-4 with a solo home run, Joey Butler singled three times and walked in four at-bats, and Davis Stonburner went 1-for-3 with an RBI single.
The Blaze will begin a seven-day road trip on Sunday staring with a three game series against the Visalia Rawhide at Recreation Park. First pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

What’s Burning: Blaze LHP Tim Murphy leads the league in runs allowed with 45 and earned runs allowed with 41.

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The Blaze (23-25) scored five runs in the fifth inning against the Stockton Ports, winning game three of a four game series 7-4 on Friday in front of 706 at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

It looked good for the Ports (18-30) as they got on the scoreboard in the top of the third, when Yusuf Carter knocked in Michael Richard with an infield single giving the Ports a 1-0 lead.

Stockton increased their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fifth as Jemile Weeks hit a two-run blast, off Blaze starter Blake Beaven.

Beavan (W, 4-4) allowed three earned runs on eight hits, three walks and two strikeouts in 6.1 innings.

In the bottom of the fifth it all fell apart for the Ports as starter Ben Hornbeck (L, 1-1) would walk the lead off batter and Davis Stoneburner followed with a double to left. With runners at second and third. Engel Beltre and Matt Lawson followed with back-to-back RBI singles to bring Bakersfield to within one at 3-2. Timothy Smith followed by reaching on an error driving in Beltre scoring the tying run, and Mauro Gomez would hit an RBI double scoring both Lawson and Smith giving the Blaze a 5-3 lead.

Stockton would climb back into the ballgame closing the gap 5-4 on a solo homer from Larry Cobb in the sixth.

The game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the eighth when the Blaze tacked on two insurance runs on a two RBI single from Mauro Gomez to center, scoring Cody Podraza and Matthew Lawson, extending Bakersfield’s lead to three.

Blaze relievers Ryan Falcon (2H, 1.2 IP) and Adelbero Flores (3 SO, 1 IP, 1SV) held the Ports scoreless for a little over two innings.

Matthew Lawson was 2-for-4 with a walk, Mauro Gomez drove in four on a single and a double, Davis Stonburner had two singles, and Elio Sarmiento had a pair of hits in three at-bats.

The Blaze will play Stockton in the final game of the four game series on Saturday at Sam Lynn Ballpark. First pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

What’s Burning: Mauro Gomez leads the club with RBIs at 40.