Blaze's hot start proves to be too much for Ports
| Saturday, Jul 04 2009 11:01 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Jul 04 2009 11:07 PM
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Grant Desme, Stockdale High product and former Cal Poly San Luis Obispo player, now plays for the Stockton Ports.
Unlike the illegal fireworks that lit up the sky behind Sam Lynn Ballpark, Grant Desme's homecoming Saturday night never really got off the ground.
The Stockdale High and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumnus -- now a member of the Stockton Ports -- managed to draw two walks but also struck out twice as the Bakersfield Blaze held off the visitors 7-2 for its second straight victory.
The Blaze (39-41, 5-5 second half) exploded for five runs in the bottom of the first after Stockton starter Carlos Hernandez (3-4) retired the first two batters. Jonathan Greene, Mauro Gomez, Joey Butler, and Ian Gac hit consecutive singles to give Bakersfield a 2-0 lead before Timmy Rodriguez blasted a three-run home run over the leftfield fence.
That turned out to be more than enough run support for four Blaze pitchers.
Desme played a role in Stockton's first run by drawing a second-inning walk to move Steven Kleen into scoring position. Two batters later Kleen scored on a Frank Martinez sacrifice fly.
In the third inning, Desme struck out with two outs and runners on first and second. Two innings later he fanned again. Desme closed out his night by drawing an eighth- inning walk.
Martinez hit an RBI single to score Kleen again in the eighth to help Stockton (29-51, 4-6 second half) cut the Blaze lead three runs. But Bakersfield answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to extend its lead back to five.
Bakersfield had 12 hits and two walks, with all but one starter reaching base at least once.
Blaze starting pitcher Tanner Roark went only three innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and one run.
Dustin Brader, who joined the team in June, (2-0) relieved Roark and pitched four scoreless innings to earn the victory.
Rodriguez added a double in the sixth inning and finished 2-for-4.
Gac, Butler, Mathew Lawson, and Davis Stoneburner also each had two hits for the Blaze.
