CalL1 Modesto Nuts

Big Inning Propels Modesto Past Stockton

Published on May 10, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Modesto Nuts News Release


MODESTO, CA (May 8th, 2012) -- The Nuts continued their hot streak at home this week as they defeated the Ports, 6-4, on Wednesday afternoon at John Thurman Field.

After scuffling against Stockton pitcher Deyvi Jimenez, who allowed only two baserunners in the first four inning, the Nuts finally exploded in the fifth. Trailing 1-0, Modesto put together their best inning of offense this season, sending 11 to the plate to pull ahead 6-1.

The Ports attempted a late comeback, scoring three in the bottom of the eighth, but Nuts reliever Ken Roberts came in and shut the door, recording the final four outs for his second save of the year.

Nuts starter Ben Alsup (3-2) turned in his best effort of the season, limiting Stockton to three singles and only one run in seven innings of work. After allowing an RBI single with two outs in the second to Ports outfielder Bobby Crocker, Alsup retired his last 16 batters of the game.

In in the fifth, Modesto was able to even the score as Tyler Massey brought home Juan Crousset from third on a sac-fly to left. After a single and a walk prolonged the inning, Ryan Casteel stepped up with two down and the bases loaded, and hit a sharp grounder to third that plated two runs after B.A. Vollmuth made a diving stop but threw wildly to first. Two pitches later, Harold Riggins hit a deep shot down the third-base line that wrapped just inside the foul pole for a three-run homer, his fourth of the year. Jimenez (0-1), who could not escape a 32 pitch fifth, took his first loss of the season.

Modesto would tally a total of six hits in the inning, but were sent down in order the rest of the game after reliever Blake Hassebrock got the final out of the fifth.

Nelson Gonzalez took over for Alsup in the eighth, and ran into trouble with two outs in the inning. After a hit batter and a single, Gonzalez gave up an RBI double to Max Muncy and a two-run single to Josh Whitaker to pull the Ports back within two runs. The Nuts then called upon Roberts, who got the final out of the eighth before sending down Stockton in order in the ninth, including back-to-back strikeouts to finish the game.

Stockton has been remarkable in the series with two outs, scoring all eight of their runs in the two games during that situation. The clubs have combined to score 13 of the 15 runs in the series with two outs.

Alsup's strong outing continued a remarkable stretch for the Nuts starting staff, who has now logged 32 innings in their last five starts, allowing 14 hits and only five earned runs (1.41 ERA).

Modesto will try to go for the series win tomorrow night as they wrap up a seven-game home stand at John Thurman Field. RHP Dan Winkler (3-1, 2.57) will get the start for the Nuts, opposite RHP Tanner Peters (2-2, 7.12) for the Ports.

Check out the Modesto Nuts Statistics

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California League Stories from May 10, 2013


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