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06/28/2008 1:45 AM ET
Reed helps Blaze edge Oaks
Fires 7 2/3 one-hit innings as Bakersfield pulls out 2-1 win
By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com
Bakersfield's Evan Reed took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Visalia. (Ken Weisenberger)

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Evan Reed didn't get a win for his best performance of the year, but the Bakersfield Blaze did.

The 22-year-old right-hander allowed one hit over a career-high 7 2/3 innings and John Whittleman scored the go-ahead run in the ninth Friday as the Blaze edged the Visalia Oaks, 2-1, at Recreation Park.

Reed, who had surrendered 12 earned runs over 16 1/3 innings in his previous three outings, carried a no-hitter into the sixth before giving up a leadoff double to Peter Clifford. Joseph Batten lifted a sacrifice fly two batters later to forge a 1-1 tie, but Bakersfield scratched out a run in the ninth to snap a three-game losing streak.

Whittleman drew a free pass from reliever Josh Ellis (0-2) to start the decisive rally and moved to second on Truan Mehl's infield hit. Mauro Gomez sacrificed before Chris Gradoville struck out, bringing Marcus Lemon to the plate.

But Visalia catcher Ed Easley was unable to handle an offering from Ellis and Whittleman raced home to snap the deadlock.

Reed, the Texas Rangers' third-round pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, struck out six and walked one but did not factor in the decision. He is 7-2 with a 4.26 ERA in 14 starts at three Minor League stops this year but had not pitched effectively since allowing a run on three hits over six innings on June 3 against Stockton.

Jordan Stewart (5-3) picked up the win after allowing one hit over the final 1 1/3 frames.

Mehl went 3-for-4 with a double and Midwest League All-Star Renny Osuna celebrated his Class A Advanced debut with an RBI single in the fifth for the Blaze (3-5).

Gregory Thomson also doubled for the Oaks (3-5), who have dropped three of four.

Visalia starter Wes Roemer yielded an unearned run on six hits and a walk with one strikeout over six innings.

John Torenli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.