Visalia, CA. - A late burst was not enough in the 7-3 loss by the Modesto Nuts to the Visalia Rawhide on Sunday night at Recreation Park. After falling behind by seven, the Nuts (50-70; 20-30) offense came to life in the eighth inning. Evan White double and Kevin Santa
Visalia, CA. - A late burst was not enough in the 7-3 loss by the Modesto Nuts to the Visalia Rawhide on Sunday night at Recreation Park.
After falling behind by seven, the Nuts (50-70; 20-30) offense came to life in the eighth inning. Evan White double and Kevin Santa singled to start the rally. Nick Zammarelli followed and smacked a two-run double to force the Rawhide (59-61; 22-28) to make the first of three pitching changes in the inning. A walk and infield single loaded the bases before back-to-back strikeouts.
Jack Larsen walked to bring in the third run of the inning and bring the tying run to the plate but Matt Brill (S, 2/4) got the final out. Brill worked around a lead-off walk in the ninth to nail down the four-out save.
Darren McCaughan (L, 6-9) started for the Nuts and surrendered two runs on three doubles in the first inning. He settled down after that and allowed just one more hit before retiring the final ten he faced. McCaughan worked five innings and struck out six without walking a batter.
Pavin Smith drove in three for the Rawhide including two on a single in the sixth. Jazz Chisholm launched a three-run seventh-inning home run.
Robby Sexton (W, 1-3) replaced the Rawhide starter Matt Peacock in the fourth with two outs and the bases loaded. He got the final out on his way to 2 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and one walk.
The Nuts and Rawhide take a day off on Monday before they square off in another three-game series starting at John Thurman Field on Tuesday night. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Coverage on ModestoNuts.com will start at 6:50 p.m. Listen live online on your phone, tablet or PC by clicking HERE.
