MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-Bakersfield’s Jonathan Greene and Mike Bianucci hit home runs during a four-run bottom of the first inning propelling the Blaze to a 5-3 victory over the San Jose Giants on Tuesday evening at Sam Lynn Ballpark. Bakersfield starting pitcher Kennil Gomez allowed just one hit and one run while working around seven walks during a five-inning stint on the mound as the Blaze claimed the opener of the three-game series. With the loss, San Jose’s second half record falls to 32-13.

Roger Kieschnick (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, SB) hit his team-leading 22nd home run of the season in the defeat, however the Giants managed just three hits overall in the contest.

Paul Oseguera (3-6) suffered the loss on the mound after surrendering five runs (all earned) on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. Oseguera, who at one point retired 11 consecutive Bakersfield hitters, struck out five and walked two.

The Blaze quickly jumped ahead with three runs in the bottom of the first before Oseguera could even record the first out of the inning. David Paisano began the frame by drawing a walk before Davis Stoneburner grounded a single up the middle to put runners on first and second. Greene then stepped to the plate and lined a 1-0 pitch over the 354-foot sign in straightaway center field for a three-run homer. The home run, Greene’s 18th of the season, gave Bakersfield a 3-0 lead. Three batters later, Bianucci belted a solo homer to left to make it 4-0.

The Giants didn’t record a hit in the first three innings against Gomez, but still had six baserunners, four via the walk, one on a hit by pitch and one from an error.In the top of the second, Gomez issued three consecutive one-out walks to load the bases, but pitched out of trouble by striking out Tyler Graham before Nick Noonan bounced into a fielder’s choice.Then in the third, Kieschnick reached on an error with one out and stole second, but again Gomez managed to pitch out of trouble.
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San Jose broke through in the top of the fourth as Gomez walked Brian Bocock to lead off before Shane Jordan drew a one-out walk.Graham then stepped to the plate and singled sharply into left field plating Bocock to bring the Giants to within 4-1.However, Gomez responded by inducing Noonan to fly out and then striking out Thomas Neal to limit the damage.

Oseguera settled down after his rocky first inning and tossed perfect second, third and fourth frames.With one out in the bottom of the fifth, the Blaze achieved their first baserunner since the first inning when Jose Felix blooped a double into shallow right.After Paisano reached on an infield single, Stoneburner walked and then Greene grounded an RBI single into left to push the Bakersfield lead to 5-1 and end Oseguera’s evening.Ryan Shaver was summoned from the bullpen and he promptly got out of the inning as Mauro Gomez grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.

Shaver (1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO) and T.J. Brewer (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO) both worked out of the Giants bullpen with neither allowing a run during their stints on the mound.

San Jose scored their final two runs of the night in the top of the seventh as Neal drew a two-out walk before Kieschnick lined a two-run homer over the fence in left center field.C.J. Ziegler followed with a single, but Blaze reliever Dustin Brader retired Conor Gillaspie on a pop out to keep Bakersfield in front.

Justin Miller (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) and Evan Reed (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO) pitched perfect eighth and ninth innings respectively to seal the Blaze victory.Reed was credited with his 17th save in 18 opportunities this season.

Notes: The Giants had won their last five games against Bakersfield … San Jose fell to 18-17 in series openers this year … The Giants are also just 1-6 after a day off … Oseguera (0-2) is winless in three starts versus the Blaze … Bakersfield out-hit San Jose by an 8-3 margin … The Giants stranded eight on the bases in the first four innings and only one over the last five frames … Gomez walked seven and struck out seven during his five-inning stint … San Jose is 2-2 thus far on their six-game road trip.

On Deck: The Giants and Blaze continue their three-game series on Wednesday evening with first pitch at Sam Lynn Ballpark scheduled for 7:30 PM.Craig Clark (14-2, 2.72 ERA) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while Bakersfield is expected to counter with Richard Bleier (5-9, 5.05 ERA).The game can be heard live onwww.sjgiants.com.

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