Modesto, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino outlasted the Modesto Nuts 10-6 in 15 innings at John Thurman Field late into Monday night. The contest was the longest game of the season for both clubs and was the culmination of 26 consecutive days with a game scheduled by
Modesto, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino outlasted the Modesto Nuts 10-6 in 15 innings at John Thurman Field late into Monday night. The contest was the longest game of the season for both clubs and was the culmination of 26 consecutive days with a game scheduled by the California League.
The Sixers took a 2-0 lead in the first on Devin Davis' two-run double to right-center against Modesto starter Penn Murfee. IE starter Kyle Bradish tossed five scoreless frames but ran into trouble in the sixth when the Nuts tied the game on back-to-back RBI doubles. The game remained 2-2 through the tenth inning until the Sixers pushed a run across for a 3-2 lead on a RBI single from Davis. The Nuts (43-53, 13-13) tied the game on a wild pitch. That trend continued through the 14th innings as the Sixers scored single runs on RBI singles (each with two outs in the 12th through 14th) and the Nuts tied the game bringing home single runs without the benefit of a single base hit. The 66ers finally broke through in the 15th with a crooked number to put the contest out of reach; The 66ers (34-61, 8-18) took a 7-6 lead on Jordan Zimmerman's RBI single against JT Salter (1-2). After Davis walked to put another man aboard, Cam Williams launched a three-run homer, his first, to left to break it open and give the Sixers the 10-6 advantage. Tyler Smith (1-0) coaxed a 3-6 double play to secure the win for the 66ers in the bottom of the 15th. The win gave the Sixers a 2-1 series victory and marked the first time Inland Empire has won back-to-back days since June 13-14. The 66ers' pitching sextet of Bradish, Jorge Tavarez, Austin Warren, Ben Morrison, Connor Higgins and Smith allowed just five hits and three walks while striking out 16. Inland Empire did not allow a hit from one out in the seventh until one out in the 15th. Modesto pitching struck out 23 batters. Inland Empire's two longest contests this season have come versus Modesto, 13 innings on 4/10 Monday's affair; each have ended with 66ers' victories as Inland Empire is now 5-4 in extra-inning contests.
The 66ers host Visalia Wednesday at 6:35pm. The contest can be seen and heard live at 66ers.com.
