Scorching season
| Monday, Sep 07 2009 09:30 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Sep 08 2009 07:31 PM
Californian League playoffs
Game 1 Wednesday
Bakersfield at Modesto, 7:05 p.m.
Game 2 Thursday
Modesto at Bakersfield, 7:15 p.m.
Game 3 Friday
Modesota at Bakersfied, 7:15 p.m.
Images
Felix Adamo / The Californian Here's something you don't see too often at Sam Lynn ballpark, a sign on the centerfield fence advertising for a Blaze playoff game! That's Blaze shortstop Davis Stoneburner at left.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Blaze centerfielder David Paisano comes up a littl ewshort after dives for a fly ball in the fifth inning against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Felix Adamo / The Californian Blaze manager/third base coach Steve Buechele and Matthew Lawson are pleased with Lawson's lead off triple in the first inning against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Felix Adamo / The Californian The Quakes Jeremy Moore dives safely back to second as Blaze shortstop Davis Stoneburner tries to handle the pickoff try.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Here's something you don't see too often at Sam Lynn ballpark, a sign on the centerfield fence advertising for a Blaze playoff game! That's Blaze shortstop Davis Stoneburner at left.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Blaze shortstop Davis Stoneburner runs down the ball after it got by him on a pick off try in the second inning.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Blaze centerfielder David Paisano comes up a littl ewshort after dives for a fly ball in the fifth inning against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Felix Adamo / The Californian Bl Ian Gac of the Blaze, right, bumps fists with ballboy Chase Melton after his second-inning home run in Monday's win over Rancho Cucamonga in the regular-season finale.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Blaze manager/third base coach Steve Buechele and Matthew Lawson are pleased with Lawson's lead off triple in the first inning against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
Felix Adamo / The Californian Blaze shortstop Davis Stoneburner gets a high five from Joey Butler after hitting a two run homer in the first inning. Batboy Chase Melton is at right.
Felix Adamo / The Californian The Quakes Jeremy Moore dives safely back to second as Blaze shortstop Davis Stoneburner tries to handle the pickoff try.
Davis Stoneburner's two run homer in the first and a solo home run from Ian Gac to lead off the second, lifted the Bakersfield Blaze 3-2, over the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in a Labor Day matinee at Sam Lynn Ball Park.
Monday's game concluded the 2009 regular season and the win secured home-field advantage for Bakersfield's first postseason appearance in eight years.
After finishing the first half of the season two games under .500, the Blaze (75-65) is 25-5 since Aug 6.
"The team has taken it upon themselves to play the game the right way everyday," Blaze manager Steve Buechele said. "Somewhere around the end of July it just clicked with them and now we are in the playoffs."
The Blaze will square off against the Modesto Nuts in the North Division Wild Card. The two teams have met 29 times this season with Bakersfield leading the season series 15-14.
"We have seen them a lot and know their hitters pretty well," Blaze starting pitcher Tanner Roark said. "They are a tough team to beat in Modesto. We have to win our spots, load the bases, make the right pitches and limit the walks."
Roark, who is 2-0 against the Nuts this season, has an ERA of 2.70, and leads the team with 10 wins, is expected to get the start when the team returns to Bakersfield for Game 2.
"It all begins with the starting rotation; our bullpen has been solid. The guys have been swinging the bat well and we have been better offensively," Buechele said.
A big part of the Blaze offense has been designated hitter Mauro Gomez. Gomez leads the Blaze with 28 home runs, third best in Cal League, a vast improvement from the eight home runs he posted in 2008.
"I've made big adjustments in my hitting this year," Gomez said. "Last year I always tried to hit home runs, this year I am swinging easier and I am seeing the ball better."
The Nuts (75-65) are 5-5 in their last 10, wrapping up their season with two straight wins against the first place High Desert Mavericks. They team has five solid starters including Cory Riordan (12-7, 3.93 ERA) and are led offensively by centerfielder Charles Blackmon who is second in the league with 169 hits and .307 average.
"When you play against Modesto you have to be aware in certain situations, they play a different style of baseball," Buechele said. "They know our style and we know theirs; they are a good team and tough to beat on the road. This will be a great series."
Blaze right-hander Kennil Gomez is expected to start Game 1 on Wednesday at Modesto, with Game 2 on Thursday, along with Game 3 if necessary, at Sam Lynn Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
