Tag Archives: minor league baseball

Blaze Sweep Giants and the win streak hits 7

April 23, 2012   blazerunners   No comments

What a difference a week makes.  On April 15th, the Blaze headed to Visalia after a dissapointing 2-1 loss to the San Jose Giants, allowing the Giants to complete their sweep and sending the Blaze to a division worst 3-8 record. Tony Cingrani had pitched a great first half of a double header and Kyle Lotzkar followed with an impressive performance, but both were squandered.  Prior to the breakout, the Blaze had no one hitting over .280 and they hadnt even been blown out often.  It just seemed as if all cylinders werent firing at the same time.  Six of the 8 losses had come at a margain of 2 runs or less, so they were all definately winnable.  Here are a couple of numbers that jump out over the last seven games:

  • First 11 games the Blaze averaged 3.63 runs per game, last 7 games is 5.57 rpg.
  • Starting pitching ERA is 2.76
  • 8 HR
  • 19 Stolen Bases (leading the Cal League)
  • Ind batting – Billy Hamilton .375, Donald Lutz .357, Devin Lohman .344

Ken Griffey Sr. has got the team on track and now the Blaze look to be rolling.  Hamilton’s play has earned him the top spot in Baseball America’s prospect watch and Tony Cingrani, Daniel Renken and Kyle Lotzkar are showing an incredible 1-2-3 punch.  Next up for the Blaze is a 10 game road trip at Stockton, Modesto and Lake Elsinore.  This will be a great test for them as they have pulled themselves from the cellar of the North division to just 1.5 games back of the SJ Giants.

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Blaze start the season with a gem, beat Visalia 3-1

April 06, 2012   blazerunners   No comments

It was a cool opening night for the Blaze in Bakersfield taking on the Visalia Oaks, however it had no effect on Billy Hamilton’s hot bat and Daniel Renken’s arm as the Blaze had a strong performance to ensure the 3-1 victory.  Renken started off the game striking out the side and giving Blaze fans a great feeling for their team from the first half inning.  Actually, it could not have started any better.  In the bottom half of the first frame, Blaze fans were anticipating seeing the speed we had heard of as Billy Hamilton walked to start off the inning, but Bryson Smith grounded out into a double play to eliminate the threat. 

The game went rather smoothly until the Oaks scored in the top of the third, but the Blaze quickly answered with Hamilton’s 2 run shot to left field to put them back in front.  After that, Renken went into a zone allowing the one run on 5 scattered hits and K’ing 5.  Daniel Wolford and Wilkin De La Rosa both gave strong performances out of the pen and Brian Pearl came in to close out the game by striking out 2 and recording the save.  On the offensive side, the Blaze made the most of their 4 hits by bringing in 3 runs, one of which was a late insurance run thanks to the showcased speed of Hamilton as he did obtain his first stolen base of the season. 

It was a great beginning to the season and Griffey Sr had to have been pleased with the jump out of the gate his pitching staff gave him.  Keep in mind that pitchers report earlier to spring training allowing them to have a little more practise in early in the season so I dont think hitting will be an issue for the Blaze.  It was a great start, so now all they need to do is follow that up with another solid performance in order to compliment fireworks friday.  Go Blaze!

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Reds option Grandal to Carolina

June 23, 2011   blazerunners   No comments

Yasmani Grandal being the plate for the Blaze in 44 games (photo by Chris J. Martin)

We knew it was going to happen, but not quite this early.  The #12 pick of the 2010 MLB Draft has been optioned to the AA Carolina Mudcats.  Grandal leaves the Blaze after hitting .296 with 10 hr’s and 40 RBI in 251 plate appearances.  Grandal was always a careful selector at the plate and had 57 strike outs and 41 base on balls.  I had the pleasure of interviewing Yasmani before his departure, but havent transcribed it yet.  Terrible, I know.  But we wish him well in Carolina, and are sure he will be up with Cincy before too long.  He played hard in Bakersfield and was a very strong  leader behind the plate, and Carolina just got better.

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Grandal and Fellhauer make Cal League All-Star Team!

June 15, 2011   blazerunners   No comments

Congrats to the two Blaze representatives (Josh Fellhauer and Yasmani Grandal) on the 2011 California League All Star Team which will square off against the Carolina League in Modesto on June 21st.  Henry Rodriguez, Blaze infielder, was also on the team, but has since been called up to the Carolina Mudcats in AA.  Congrats to Yasmani and Josh, let’s root our Blaze on against the Carolina League!

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Blaze headed home on a winning note!

May 06, 2011   blazerunners   No comments

On April 27th against the Visalia Rawhide, the Blaze had a 9th inning collapse that lead to a loss and started a small losing streak.   For a team that puts up scores like football games more often than baseball games, prior to that loss they were averaging 7.75 runs per game.  For the 3 games following, versus Visalia and Stockton, the Blaze were only able to put 2.6 runners across the plate.  Is this over analyzing a short time period?  Of course, but there has been a trend of late inning runs scored on the Blaze which has lead to a majority of their losses.

The most positive take-away from the road trip was how they ended it.  The last 5 games of the road trip had the Blaze once again taking batting practise on the opposing pitchers and there isnt only one road for success from this year’s Blaze team.  They play small ball but also hit the long ball.  Ken Griffey Sr. has such a great handle on his team so early in his first managerial season, it can only make you excited for what is to come.  Up next is a three game series at home against the reigning back to back California League Champion and current second place San Jose Giants. The Giants are leading the CAL League in Team ERA so matching up with the Blaze will be a battle.  Taking this series would put the Blaze in the second spot only looking up at the Ports.

AMAZING STATS

We know the Blaze can hit.  Actually, we know the Blaze can flat out MASH.  Check out these tidbits.

  • Three players have OPS over 1.000 (Stephen Hunt, Eric Campbell and Yasmani Grandal)
  • Blaze as a team are hitting .319.  Second Place in the Cal League (Quakes) are hitting .291
  • Blaze BB:K (batting) ratio is 1:1.77! Discerning eyes as well

BACK-TO-BACK

A huge congratulations to Stephen Hunt for earning the California League Player of the Week and giving the honor to the Blaze for the second consecutive week!  Stephen hit .563 with 3 HR and 16 RBI and only striking out twice.  A fantastic first week in his first week as a pro after being the Reds 15th round pick.

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Welcome to Blazerunners!

April 20, 2011   blazerunners   1 Comment

The modestly sized Bakersfield, California is home to the Bakersfield Blaze, currently the Advanced-A Cincinnati Reds affiliate in the California League.  The ballpark is older yet a great reminder of how minor league baseball has been through time (Sam Lynn Park was built in 1941) but the brand of baseball is very good and well worth keeping track of.  I started this blog because currently, there is no one else blogging on the Blaze and there ought to be.  I want to welcome all of you baseball fans out there to subscribe and bookmark this site as I plan on bringing you lots of news and info about the blaze including interviews with the players.  Thanks for stopping by and go Blaze!

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