CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Sixers Lose Series Opener at Modesto

June 17, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


Modesto, CA - The Inland Empire 66ers were unable to hold a 3-1 lead at John Thurman Field in Modesto on Thursday and fell 5-3 to the home Nuts in the opener of a four-game set. The home club has now won all five of the meetings between the two clubs.

The 66ers (21-46) got on the board in the first against Modesto starter Ryan Castellani (3-6). Hutton Moyer tripled to left field and came home on Wade Wass' two-out double. Modesto (25-42) tied the game 1-1 against IE starter Garrett Nuss in the third when Emerson Jimenez doubled and eventually scored on Wes Rogers' infield hit.

The 66ers took a lead in the fourth when Moyer drew a walk to open the frame and moved to second on Wass' single. Moyer then advanced to third on Taylor Ward's flyout to right and came home on Roberto Baldoquin's RBI groundout to make it 2-1. The Sixers got another run in the fifth when Zach Welz connected on Castellani's first pitch of the frame for solo homer to left field; the shot was Welz' second of the year and gave Inalnd Empire a 3-1 lead.

The Nuts took over from there. Modesto got a run without benefit of a hit in Nuss' final inning running the score to 3-2 in through five. Nuss went five innings allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and five Ks. Modesto scored twice off reliever Jason Hoppe (0-1) in the sixth when Rogers walked to open the frame and snagged second base on his 27th steal of the year. Rogers eventually scored on Drew Weeks RBI single to make it 3-3. Weeks would give the Nuts the lead when Collin Ferguson's double scored him. The Nuts tacked on another run in the seventh when with two outs Cal League All-Star Omar Carrizales tripled and then scored on Hoppe's wild pitch to make it 5-3.

Castellani earned the win going 7.1 IP allowing eight hits and three runs with three walks and three Ks. Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino closed the game on an injury rehab appearance for Modesto, his first save in the Cal League. After striking out the first two batters of the inning, Ottavino, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, gave up singles to Josh Delph and Ayendy Perez. He slammed the door shut however by fanning David Fletcher to strikeout the side. Wass had three hits for Inland Empire while Moyer had two extra-base hits. Perez was 2-for-5.

The series continues Friday at 7:05. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com and 1570 AM KPRO.

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California League Stories from June 17, 2016


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