Modesto, CA. - After surrendering a four-run lead, Beau Branton delivered a walk-off single in the Modesto Nuts 5-4 win over the Stockton Ports on Tuesday night at John Thurman Field for their third straight win. Angel Duno (L, 3-2) recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the
Modesto, CA. - After surrendering a four-run lead, Beau Branton delivered a walk-off single in the Modesto Nuts 5-4 win over the Stockton Ports on Tuesday night at John Thurman Field for their third straight win.
Angel Duno (L, 3-2) recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Anthony Jimenez pinch hit and lined a single into right. With Branton at the plate, Jimenez swiped second base. Branton lined a base hit into right-center field to drive in the winning run and secure the Nuts' (42-61; 12-21) first three-game winning streak of the second half.
The Nuts had taken the lead in the first inning when Nick Zammarelli launched a two-run homer off Ports (61-42; 17-15) starter Kyle Friedrichs. In the second, the Nuts added on. Branton doubled home a run before Joe Rizzo drove in a second tally with a RBI groundball.
The Ports came back in the third. After starter Reggie McClain retired the first seven he faced, he hit a batter and walked a man to put two on. Chase Calabuig singled home a run. Luke Persico doubled home two runs. In the sixth, Edwin Diaz found a hole up the middle with a bouncing single to tie the game. All four runs against McClain scored with two outs. The righty worked 5 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and one walk while allowing six hits.
Jack Anderson and Wyatt Mills (W, 6-0) combined to toss 3 1/3 strong innings out of the bullpen. Anderson stranded two inherited runs and worked a perfect 2 1/3 frames. Mills struck out two around a one-out double in the ninth.
The Nuts go for the series victory and a season-best fourth straight win on Wednesday night against the Ports. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Coverage on ModestoNuts.com will start at 7:05 p.m. Listen live online on your phone, tablet or PC by clicking HERE.
