Blaze keeps home-field tiebreaker with victory
| Tuesday, Sep 01 2009 11:16 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Sep 01 2009 11:18 PM
STOCKTON -- With their playoff dance card punched for the first time in eight seasons, the Blaze still have a carrot dangling in front of them: home-field advantage in its upcoming playoff series versus Modesto beginning a week from today.
Trailing by two games but holding the tie-breaker over the Nuts, the Blaze began its final road series of the season with a 3-1 win over the Ports on Tuesday night.
"We're not going to play these games any differently," said Blaze manager Steve Buechele prior to the start of Tuesday's game. "It's important that we continue to play well and if the home field is the end result, we'll definitely take it."
The Blaze won its 70th game of the season with its usual combination of just enough offense and stellar pitching from its set-up men. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning, Ian Gac tied the game with a solo homer to left. Mauro Gomez then banged his 25th home run leading off the seventh, giving the Blaze a one-run lead that would increase to two with Gac's RBI double in the ninth.
Glenn Swanson (1-1) was the winner in relief of starter Tim Murphy. Adalberto Flores and Evan Reed added shutout innings with Reed recording his 23rd save of the season.
NOTES
Blaze third baseman Jacob Kaase was placed on the disabled list. ... Pitcher Michael Main, on the DL since June, has been activated and will pitch out of the bullpen.
