Bakersfield Bashes Gulls Pitchers, 10-2

Bakersfield batters amassed 14 hits and capitalized on four errors to beat the Ventura County Gulls 10-2 in a California League game on Wednesday at Sam Lynn Park.

Ventura County took the early lead as Eric Yelding started the game by hitting a 3-2 pitch off Dodger starter Walt Stull for his second home run of the season. However, Bakersfield promptly tied the game in its half of the inning when Ed Jacobo doubled home Ted Holcomb off Ventura starter Elvis Ciprian.

The Gulls took the lead again in the second on another home run--this time by Greg Myers, his 14th of the season. But Stull bore down for the rest of his term on the mound. He struck out eight and allowed only two other hits until he was pulled in the seventh inning.

It was then that the Gulls blew their biggest opportunity to score.

With two outs and the Gulls trailing, 6-2, Domingo Martinez singled and Jim Bishop reached on an error. Stull was replaced by Bryan Smith, who hit Kevin Batiste to load the bases.

Exit Smith and enter Mike Fiala, who struck out Yelding to end the inning. Ventura County made no further threats and Fiala picked up his second save.

Ciprian (1-4) pitched four innings, gave up eight hits and six runs, five earned, and also walked five. Mark Dickman relieved in the fifth and allowed one run on one hit in three innings, but William Shanks worked the eighth inning and was roughed up for five hits and three runs.

The three Dodger pitchers combined for nine strikeouts, bringing the Gulls’ total to 21 in their last two games.