First-Inning Offense Not Enough in 7-5 Defeat

Modesto, CA. - After a quick strike by the Modesto Nuts offense in the first inning, the Stockton Ports plated seven unanswered runs in the 7-5 loss on Sunday afternoon at John Thurman Field to end the first half.
Evan White drove in Luis Liberato with a RBI single in the first. After Kyle Lewis doubled, Nick Zammarelli crushed a three-run homer out to right field.
The Nuts (30-40) could manage just one more run against a parade of five Ports (44-26) relievers.
The Ports had a balanced offensive attack with five players driving in runs and all nine starters reaching base.
Darion Blanco tied the game for the Ports in the fourth against reliever Jeffeson Medina (L, 3-2). That was the first of three consecutive singles in the fourth inning to build a two-run lead over the Nuts. Medina worked 2 2/3 innings allowing four runs on seven hits.
Pat Krall (W, 1-0) worked the longest out of the Ports' bullpen. The lefty worked 2 2/3 shutout innings without allowing a hit.
Angel Duno (S, 5/8) checked into the game with two outs and the go-ahead run at the plate in the eighth inning. Duno induced a fly out off the bat of Liberato. He worked around a Zammarelli single in the ninth to secure the series-clinching game for the Ports.
This concludes the first half. The Nuts are back in action on Thursday in Stockton to start a four-game series with the Ports at 7:10 p.m. Coverage on ModestoNuts.com will start at 7:00 p.m. Listen live online on your phone, tablet or PC by clicking HERE.