MEARS CAN'T ESCAPE THE THIRD INNING.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

BAKERSFIELD - The city of Bakersfield has street signs boasting of its designation as the All-American City in 1993.

But on Monday night, it was the site of an All-Canadian pitching matchup between JetHawks starter Chris Mears, a resident of Victoria, B.C., and Bakersfield's Vance Cozier, of Ajax, Ont.

In an unlikely venue for a battle to determine bragging rights of the Great White North, Cozier outlasted Mears to help the Blaze take a 12-7 lead into the top of the eighth before 793 at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Cozier, who stood to get the win, pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs - five earned - on 11 hits, striking out six while walking three.

Mears was chased in the third inning after allowing six runs - all earned - on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Juan Silvestre's two-run homer in the top of the first was the highlight of a three-run JetHawks rally, but then the Blaze scored one run in the bottom of the first on Jeremy Luster's run-scoring single, and took a 4-3 lead in the second when Scoop McDowell's two-run homer sparked a three-run rally.

The JetHawks tied the game in the top of the third on Bo Robinson's run-scoring single, but a five-run Bakersfield eruption - highlighted by Jake Messner's three-run double - gave the Blaze a 9-4 lead.

--Matchup: Right-hander Scott Atchison (3-4, 3.46) will pitch for the JetHawks tonight when they conclude a three-game series at Bakersfield. He will be opposed by left-hander Tom Miller (3-2, 4.13).

--Roster moves: The Mariners called up left-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmerman from Lancaster to Triple-A Tacoma.