CalL1 Modesto Nuts

Nuts Rally Late, But Fall 8-7

Published on June 9, 2013 under California League (CalL1)
Modesto Nuts News Release


STOCKTON, CA - In another slugfest between the Nuts and Ports, Modesto was able to rally for three runs in the top of the ninth, but fell just short in an 8-7 loss to Stockton on Saturday night at Banner Island Ballpark.

With 15 combined runs in the contest, the two clubs have now scored a whopping 50 runs in the three games so far this weekend, with 25 apiece.

Trailing 8-4 in the ninth and facing Seth Frankoff with one out, Nuts infielder Taylor Featherston drilled a 3-run homer to left-field to keep Modesto in the game. Reliever Jon Joseph then came in to face Ryan Casteel, who hammered one to the deepest part of the yard, but Myrio Richard made a leaping catch as he crashed into the wall to rob him of extra-bases. Tyler Massey then struck out as Joseph picked up his second save in as many nights and his fifth of the year.

Modesto scored the game's first run in the top of the second on a sac-fly from Juan Crousset, but the Ports quickly countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, one they would not relinquish for the rest of the night.

Nuts starter Ben Alsup sent down the Ports in order in the first before having command problems in the second, walking two batters before giving up a 2-out, 3-run homer to Dusty Robinson. Stockton added a run against the Modesto righty in the third as Addison Russell doubled and scored on a single by Max Muncy. Alsup would settle down though, retiring the next nine hitters without allowing another hit.

Modesto got back in the game in the fifth against Ports starter James Simmons, as Featherston tripled home Brian Humphries with two outs in the inning and Casteel singled through the left side of the infield to make it 4-3.

Alsup (3-7) would go five innings, and was charged with the loss as the Nuts never got back to even the rest of the way.

Nelson Gonzalez came on with a man at first and two away in the seventh, and gave up an RBI double to Tony Thompson and a 2-run home run to Antonio Lamas to make it 7-3.

Casteel then led off the eighth with a solo home run against reliever Jake Brown, his team-leading 11th of the year to get Modesto back within three runs. But the Ports got the run right back in the bottom of the eighth against Russell Brewer on a sac-fly by Thompson to go ahead 8-4. That extra run would turn out to be much needed insurance for the Ports after Featherston's smash in the ninth.

Simmons (3-1) would get the win, giving up three runs (two earned) in six innings.

The Ports (35-27) now lead the series 2-1 going into a Sunday afternoon finale at Banner Island Ballpark. Modesto (29-33) will send out RHP Eddie Butler (1-1, 3.71) to make his fourth start of the year, opposite Stockton LHP Shaeffer Hall (1-0, 1.64) who will also make his fourth appearance in the league. First pitch is set for 2:09 p.m.

Check out the Modesto Nuts Statistics

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California League Stories from June 9, 2013


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