In end, Blaze was too good for own good

The Bakersfield Blaze was so good this season it didn't make the playoffs.

The Rays' Class A affiliate was plagued by injuries (see: Josh Hamilton and Juan Salas). It was hit hard by promotions (Rocco Baldelli, Doug Waechter, Evan Rust and Jace Brewer were among the California League All-Stars sent to Orlando).

Despite losing 21 of its last 25 and finishing the final month of the season with a 6-23 record, Bakersfield played a one-game playoff at the end of the regular season, losing to Visalia in 12 innings.

Visalia's Jorge Soto lined a one-out single, scoring Matt Groff from second to give the Oaks a 3-2 victory Monday, taking the final playoff berth from Bakersfield. The Blaze, which was 16 games above .500 July 16, finished 69-72.

That last game -- especially the final hit, which barely missed the outstretched glove of shortstop Nestor Perez -- was a fitting testament to the way the Blaze played in the second half.

There was discussion as to who was going to start for Bakersfield Monday. Neal Frendling could have pitched on four days' rest but was battling a sore arm. Enger Veras was expected to be available but was designated for assignment Saturday night as the Rays cleared room on their 40-man roster to call up Lance Carter.

Ronni Severino was plugged into the starter's spot even though he was battling a cold and hadn't started this season, logging 182/3 innings in 12 games.

Severino pitched four innings, allowing one hit while walking two and striking out five. The question then was: Who's next?

Austin Coose was one of Bakersfield's top relievers but was in Kokomo, Ind., with his wife, expecting their first child. That meant Radhames Peguero with his 3-7 record and Josh Parker, who entered with a 9.39 ERA, got their chances.

They were followed by the team's two closers, Alex Carbajal and John Benedetti, both of whom pitched the night before. It was Benedetti who finally allowed Soto's winning hit.

BULL SESSION: Bakersfield's second-half self-destruction made Durham the only Rays affiliate still playing come playoff time.

The Bulls clinched the International League's Southern Division title Friday night, beating Richmond 7-1 behind their fourth straight game, during which their pitchers allowed one run.

It is the Bulls' fourth division title since they joined the International League five years ago.

Durham travels to Toledo tonight for the first two games in a best-of-five series. The Bulls played in the Governor's Cup finals in 1998 and 1999 and were eliminated in the semifinals in 2000.

BASH BROTHERS: All Joey Gomes needed was 68 games for Rays officials to decide he was ready to realize his lifelong dream of playing on the same professional team as his brother. Gomes (eighth-round selection in June's draft) was promoted from Hudson Valley to Bakersfield Sept. 28, allowing him to join younger brother Jonny, who was selected in the 18th round last year.

To make things sweeter, the brothers, who grew up in Petaluma, Calif., were able to buy their mother, Michelle, a train ticket so she could attend a game with both in the lineup Friday.

It took no time for Joey Gomes to prove the move was worth it as he blasted a 420-foot home run Monday. He hit 15 homers with Hudson Valley.

Rays officials hope that was foreshadowing, as they envision a lineup with back-to-back Gomeses providing back-to-back power. Jonny Gomes hit 30 homers, second in the California League.

DARN THAT SOTO GUY: Not only did Soto ruin Bakersfield's playoff hopes, first with two home runs to send the teams into a one-game playoff, then with the winning hit, he also ruined Jonny Gomes' shot at a home run title.

Those home runs Soto hit Sunday gave him 31. Jonny Gomes led the league for virtually the entire second half.