Local report: Serrano pitches Blaze past Visalia
| Tuesday, Aug 16 2011 10:54 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Aug 16 2011 11:17 PM
Mark Serrano pitched seven innings of five-hit ball as the Bakersfield Blaze defeated the Visalia Rawhide 6-4 on Tuesday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
Serrano (5-8) allowed one earned run, walked four and struck out eight.
Jordan Wideman hit an RBI single in the Blaze's three-run sixth to give Bakersfield a 5-3 lead. Wideman increased the lead to 6-3 with his first home run in the eighth.
Jorge Jimenez finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs for the Blaze. Stephen Hunt also homered for Bakersfield.
Christopher Manno struck out the side in the eighth and Doug Salinas earned his 13th save despite an unearned run by the Rawhide in the ninth.
NW All-Stars eliminated from Ripken Series
VISALIA -- The Northwest Bakersfield 12-and-under All-Stars saw their successful postseason run come to an end Tuesday afternoon in a 14-7 loss to Raynham, Ma., at the Cal Ripken World Series.
Luke Rivera hit a game-tying three-run home run in the third inning for Northwest. But Raynham scored six runs in the fourth, powered by a grand slam.
Art Joven had two hits and scored a run for Northwest to earn player of the game honors. Northwest finished 1-3 at the tournament.
