Blaze wins first playoff series in 8 seasons
| Friday, Sep 11 2009 11:43 PM
Last Updated Friday, Sep 11 2009 11:45 PM
Loading Stories
Advertisement
With its first playoff series victory in its grasp Friday night, it was fitting that a local product would close things out for the Bakersfield Blaze.
Former Ridgeview High and Bakersfield College standout Justin Miller struck out the side in the ninth to finish off a 6-1 win in the deciding game of the best-of-three first-round series at Sam Lynn Ball Park to send the Blaze into the California League North Division championship series.
"It felt good it felt really good," said Miller, who used to shag home run balls in the shadow of Sam Lynn Ball Park as a youngster. "It was nice to come in in my home park and having all these fans here. It's probably the most we've had all season.
"I just went out and took my normal mentality. I'm up by a lot, I'm going to challenge the hitters and get ahead in the strike zone."
Bakersfield plays at the top-seeded San Jose Giants today at 2 p.m. Ryan Tatusko will get the start for the Blaze in the series opener. Game two is Sunday in San Jose before returning to Bakersfield for Game 3 on Monday.
"It's going to be a long bus ride, but we're a bunch of young guys and I think we'll be able to pick it up," said Miller, who joined his teammates on the bus to San Jose immediately following the game.
Bakersfield manager Steve Buechele added, "I tell you what, I'm happy for the kids. They've worked hard all year and busted their tails. To come back here and win two in a row, knowing what's at stake, they deserve all the credit in the world."
Now the Blaze face another obstacle. In addition to battling a San Jose team that went 51-19 in the second half of the season, the Giants may also have the services of future Hall-of-fame pitcher Randy Johnson, who has been rumored to make a rehab start during the series.
"It is what it is,"Buechele said. "We're going to be playing baseball in about 14 hours. We'll get on the bus and we'll go up there ... Hey, we'll show up."
Blaze left-hander Richard Bleier worked himself out of trouble early, scattering seven hits, striking out eight in eight innings before handing the ball off to Miller.
After spotting Modesto with an early 1-0 lead, Bakersfield scored two in the second and one in the fourth before extending its lead with three in the seventh. Mauro Gomez had a key two-out, two-run double in the seventh and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Bianucci.
"I don't have to say much to these guys," Buechele said. "They're learning how to play this game every day and finding a way to go out and get the job done."
Blaze second baseman Matt Lawson provided the big punch for the Blaze, which tallied 28 hits in its two home playoff games. Lawson doubled in his first two at-bats and then singled in a run in the fourth to give Bakersfield a 3-1 lead. Lawson was 6-for-10 with a home run, three doubles and four RBIs in his last two playoff games.
Bleier got off to a slow start, allowing a two-out double to Jason Van Kooten and an RBI-single to Scott Beerer in the first. Modesto had runners at second and third with no outs in the second and third, but Bleier worked out of trouble each time. Bleier retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced and didn't allow a hit after a single by Van Kooten in the fifth.
Bakersfield tied the game in the second when Doug Hogan singled with two outs and scored on a triple by David Paisano. Lawson followed with a double to give Bakersfield the lead for good.
