San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino stymied the Modesto Nuts 6-0 on Saturday and with three pitchers combining on a one-hit shutout and securing the Sixers third consecutive shutout. Inland Empire (58-55, 25-18) has now allowed no runs in its last 28.1 IP and surrendered just
San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino stymied the Modesto Nuts 6-0 on Saturday and with three pitchers combining on a one-hit shutout and securing the Sixers third consecutive shutout. Inland Empire (58-55, 25-18) has now allowed no runs in its last 28.1 IP and surrendered just seven hits in that span.
Patrick Sandoval (1-0) started for the Sixers and gave up an infield hit on a swinging bunt by Modesto batter Kevin Santa in the first. That was the lone base hit the Nuts (46-67, 16-27) tallied the entire night. Sandoval went 5.1 IP giving up four walks and a hit batter while fanning five. He has not allowed a run in ten innings since being traded to the Angels from Houston for C Martin Maldonado. Inland Empire took a 2-0 lead in the second against Nuts starter Reggie McClain (3-10) when Richie Fecteau punched a two-out, two-run single to left center. Inland Empire added to the lead in the fourth when Brendon Sanger launched a solo homer, his first, to right; Zane Gurwitz first IE hit added to the lead as he drilled a two-run single to center later in the frame making it 5-0. The 66ers capped their scoring in the sixth when Julian Leon was hit by a pitch and then scored on Fecteau's RBI triple to right. Sandoval, Dayan Díaz and Nate Bertness rolled on the mound as Sandoval went 5.1IP while Dayan Diaz covered a perfect 1.2 innings and southpaw Nate Bertness hit a batter but struck out three to finish off the Nuts. The Sixers fanned 11 Modesto batters. David MacKinnon had a two-hit night with a double for the Sixers.
The series concludes Sunday at 5:35 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com.
