Morgan Launches Two Homers in 10-2 Win

August 2, 2018

Stockton, CA. - Early pop led the Modesto Nuts to a 10-2 win against the Stockton Ports on Wednesday night at Banner Island Ballpark. The win brings the Nuts (46-64; 16-24) two games back of the first-place Ports (62-48; 18-22). All ten runs scored by the Nuts crossed the plate

Stockton, CA. - Early pop led the Modesto Nuts to a 10-2 win against the Stockton Ports on Wednesday night at Banner Island Ballpark.
The win brings the Nuts (46-64; 16-24) two games back of the first-place Ports (62-48; 18-22).
All ten runs scored by the Nuts crossed the plate after two outs.
For the second straight night the Nuts struck first in the first inning against the Ports. Kevin Santa doubled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to ten games. With two outs, Evan Manarino (L, 3-5) walked Nick Zammarelli. Gareth Morgan followed and crushed a three-run homer out of Banner Island Ballpark. His first of two long balls.
The Ports pushed across two-out runs in the first and third innings against Nuts starter Darren McCaughan before the Nuts recorded their second three-run frame.
In the fourth, Louis Boyd smacked a two-out double. Anthony Jimenez followed and smacked a two-run homer into the left-field bullpen. In the fifth, the Nuts knocked out Manarino. Luis Liberato ended Manarino's day with a two-run double. Manny Pazos, against reliever Brenden Butler, singled home Liberato.
Manarino lasted just 4 2/3 while surrendering nine runs on nine hits with three walks and one strikeout.
In the seventh, Morgan connected on his second homer of the day, an opposite-field solo home run.
McCaughan in the start for the Nuts worked 4 2/3 innings and struck out six while walking four and giving up just two runs.
Danny Garcia (W, 1-5) stranded two inherited runners in the fifth when he got the final out of the frame. He worked around a pair of base runners in the seventh and left with two runners on and one out in the eighth before AJ Franks induced an inning-ending doubleplay. Garcia worked 2 2/3 innings allowing just two hits with two strikeouts.
The Nuts go for their second straight sweep and their sixth straight win in the season series with the Ports in the finale of a three-game set on Thursday night at Banner Island Ballpark. First pitch is 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.