Nuts Edge Blaze in Extra Innings, 4-3

The Modesto Nuts (13-6) defeated the Blaze (6-13) in a 14-inning marathon by a score of 4-3 Tuesday at Sam Lynn Ballpark to take the first of a three game series.

The Nuts' Jeffrey Cunningham crushed a solo homer over the left field wall off Blaze reliever Ryan Tatusko (0-1) in the top of the 14^th inning to end the 3-½ hour deadlock that saw both teams combine for a total of 19 hits.

Modesto would open the hitting clinic in the top of the first on a triple by Charles Blackmon that would later lead to the first run of the game when Hector Gomez would bring him in with a ground out to second.

Bakersfield would answer back in the second and third innings to take the lead 3-2, with three runs on three singles and a Mitchell Moreland two-run homer, his fourth of the season.

Blaze starter Michael Kirkman (1-1), would go six innings allowing 6H, and 2 ER, while walking one and fanning four of the 27 batters he faced. Relievers Ryan Falco, and Zach Phillips would combine for 6 Ks, giving up only 2H, and allowing no earned runs keeping the game tied at three apiece into inning 11.

Nuts Starter Cory Riordan (0-2) gave up 2 ER on 6H including Moreland's two-run homer, striking out two and walking three in 5 IP. Reliever Craig Baker would enter the game in the bottom of inning fourteen to preserve the lead and post his eighth save of the season.

Mitchell Moreland, 3-for-5, had a solo home run, his fourth the season, and two singles. Davis Stoneburner doubled and singled twice going 3-for-6.

The series continues with game two at home against the Modesto Nuts on April 29. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. It will be a Must Win Wednesday. If the Blaze don't win, everyone gets a free General Admission ticket to a future game.

What's Burning: The loss extends a three-game Blaze losing streak...Moreland leads the Blaze in doubles with seven and is tied for first in the Cal League.