Early Hole Proves Too Much in 6-4 Loss

Modesto, CA. - After falling behind early, the Modesto Nuts scored four unanswered runs but fell 6-4 against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Tuesday night at John Thurman Field.

By the fourth, the Quakes (27-25; 69-53) opened up a six-run lead against the Nuts' (22-30; 48-74) starter Colin Welmon (L, 1-3) and reliever Christian Talley. Erik Mejia led the charge for the Quakes scoring in the first before smacking a two-run double in the second and driving in his third run with a RBI fielder's choice in the fourth. Will Smith roped a RBI double and Matt Beaty smacked two RBI singles.

Welmon went just 2.2 innings in his first start with the Nuts allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Talley allowed three runs in the fourth but would not surrender another tally keeping the Nuts close. He tossed 4.1 frames with seven hits and three total runs.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Nuts plated three runs. Forrest Wall started the inning with a single. He scored on Josh Fuentes' RBI triple. Shane Hoelscher followed with a RBI triple and scored on an error.

That was all the offense for the rest of the night although the Nuts threatened in the ninth against Alex Burgos (S, 1/1). Drew Weeks ripped a one-out double and Collin Ferguson walked to bring the winning run to the plate but Burgos struck out Max White and got Luis Jean to fly out to end the game.

Gavin Pittore (W, 1-0) worked 3.2 hitless innings out of the Quakes bullpen striking out four and walking just one.

The third of a four-game series against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes is Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Coverage on ModestoNuts.com will start at 7:00 p.m. Listen live online by clicking here.