Train Robbers Hold Off Yardbirds 4-2

July 6 2018 The Bakersfield Train Robbers defeated the High Desert Yardbirds 4-2 at Adelanto Stadium. Bakersfield scored single runs in the second and third innings before adding one run in the sixth and another in the seventh. High Desert answered with one run in the third and one in the sixth but could not complete the comeback. The Train Robbers finished with eight hits while the Yardbirds collected six.

Brett Balkan and Jesse Baker led Bakersfield at the plate with two hits apiece. Balkan drove in a run and drew two walks, while Baker added two RBI and a double. Bobby Webb and Nick Vehlewald each scored a run, and Billy Pugh and Kyle Bonicki also contributed hits. High Desert’s Ronnie Grant and Aaron Cook each had two hits, with Cook recording an RBI. Andrew Calderone added a double and drove in the Yardbirds’ other run.

Michael Elwell earned the win after allowing one earned run on four hits in five innings while striking out seven and walking two. Chad Bennett, Jonathan Fleckenstein and John Chalupa combined to cover the next three innings, and Zach Williams recorded the save with a scoreless ninth. Gregg Gausden took the loss for High Desert despite allowing only two earned runs on seven hits in six innings; he struck out two and walked five.

Bakersfield’s four-run performance established a 3-1 lead through six innings, and the Train Robbers added an insurance run in the seventh. High Desert managed just one hit and no runs over the final three innings as Bakersfield secured the 4-2 victory.