Errors doom Blaze in loss to Stockton
| Thursday, Sep 03 2009 11:43 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Sep 03 2009 11:44 PM
STOCKTON -- With a three-run lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning, the prospect of the Bakersfield Blaze recording a three-game sweep of the Stockton Ports was looking pretty good.
That was before the Blaze defense became generous, committing four errors. When the carnage was over, the Ports had capitalized to the tune of six runs on their way to a 7-5 win.
The roof caved in on the Blaze and starter Richard Bleier (7-11) in the bottom of the fifth when second baseman Matt Lawson got the parade of errors going with a throwing error pulling shortstop Stoneburner off second base on an attempted double play. That play was immediatly followed by a fielding error by Davis Stoneburner, loading the bases. A double and single followed, giving the Ports a 4-3 lead before Lawson committed his second error on a routine ground ball that allowed the fifth Ports run to score. The final run of the inning scored when Tommy Mendonca was charged with a throwing error.
The Blaze (71-65 overall) return tonight to Sam Lynn Ball Park for its final four regular-season games against Rancho Cucamonga before beginning post season play on Wednesday.
NOTES
When asked about when he thought the Blaze became serious playoff contenders, first baseman Ian Gac, besides giving credit to his teammates whom he called "a great group of guys," specifically pointed to an ejection of manager Steve Buechele that seemed to ignite the team. Buechele was tossed between innings of the July 28 game against Visalia at Sam Lynn Ball Park but before leaving the field, berated both umpires with a profanity-laced tirade that lasted more than three minutes. Said Gac, "We knew he cared all along but we never saw that side of him. Yeah, he's got our back and he's not gonna just go through the motions with us so we're not going to give up on him."
