CalL1 Modesto Nuts

Nuts Build Early Lead, Hang on for Win

Published on July 27, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Modesto Nuts News Release


VISALIA, CA (July 26th, 2013) -- Modesto raced out to a 9-0 advantage after the top of the fourth and held off a late Visalia attack to down the Rawhide 11-7 on Friday night at Recreation Park.

With the win, the Nuts (19-17, 51-55) pulled within a game of San Jose for first place in the North Division second-half standings.

Making only his second start in the Cal League, Visalia starter Daniel Watts was beat up by Modesto, giving up nine runs (eight earned) in 3 1/3 innings for the loss.

Brian Humphries hit a solo home run in the top of the first to give the Nuts a 1-0 lead, and finished 3-for-5. Taylor Featherston and David Kandilas added three hits apiece to lead a 14 hit Nuts attack. Niko Gallego drove in four runs from the bottom of the order.

Modesto exploded for five runs in the third as Jared Simon singled in two runs with the bases loaded, and after Ryan Casteel scored on a wild pitch, Gallego added a 2-out 2-run double to cap off the inning.

Casteel belted a 2-run homer, his 21st of the season, as part of a 3-run fourth to chase Watts from the game.

Nuts starter Ben Alsup (7-8) was perfect through the first three frames before running into some bad luck in the fourth. Humphries lost a fly ball from Kevin Medrano for a lead off triple, and Gerson Montilla got him in on a sac-fly.

Visalia added two more runs against Alsup in the fifth, including a solo home run by Ryan Stovall.

The Rawhide ended up scoring in four consecutive innings, adding four runs against Nelson Gonzalez between the sixth and seventh. Tom Belza belted a 2-run homer in the seventh to make it a 9-7 score.

Visalia also threatened in the eighth as Will Rankin came in and walked two straight batters, but Kraig Sitton came on from the 'pen and got a quick double play and got through the inning with no damage done. Sitton then struck out the side in the ninth for his first save in the Rockies organization since 2010.

Modesto added two runs in the ninth as two runs scored on a fielder's choice from Gallego.

The Nuts will go for the series win tomorrow night with RHP Eddie Butler (3-4, 2.59) slated to pitch. Visalia is expected to counter with RHP Brandon Sinnery (1-0, 0.00). First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Recreation Park.

Check out the Modesto Nuts Statistics

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California League Stories from July 27, 2013


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