Two Big League Homers Were Not Enough in 7-5 Loss

Visalia, CA. - On five pitches, the Visalia Rawhide came back in the eighth to send the Modesto Nuts to a 7-5 loss on Thursday night at Recreation Park.
Michael Koval (L, 0-4) entered the game in the bottom of the eighth for the Nuts (29-38) looking to protect a two-run lead.
On the first pitch Koval surrendered a double to Pavin Smith. Ramon Hernandez doubled Smith home on the second pitch of the inning. On the third pitch of Adam Walton's at-bat, Walton singled up the middle to score the go-ahead run for the Rawhide (35-32). An error would add an insurance tally.
Some power helped the Nuts to the lead early. On rehab from the Diamondbacks, Robbie Ray made the start for the Rawhide. In the first, Nick Zammarelli doubled home a run. Anthony Jimenez capped the three-run first when he smashed a two-run homer over the left field wall.
The Rawhide tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the first against starter Danny Garcia. That was all Garcia allowed in his three innings of work.
Kyle Lewis gave the Nuts the lead when he launched an opposite-field, go-ahead, two-run homer against Ray. The Big League rehabber work 2 1/3 innings allowing five runs on five hits with three strikeouts.
The Nuts head home to open a three-game series with the Ports. The opener of the first-half's final series is scheduled for Friday night 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.