66ers outlast Nuts in 12 inning marathon

MODESTO, CA (August 29th, 2013) -- In a game that lasted four hours and 24 minutes, the 66ers were able to break a 4-4 tie in extra-innings with a four run rally in the 12th, and hung on in the bottom of the inning for an 8-5 win over the Nuts on Thursday night at John Thurman Field.

Despite the loss, the Nuts (40-26, 72-64) still hold a three game lead on San Jose in the North Division with only four games play. Modesto needs only one with this weekend over the Ports to secure a playoff spot. Their magic number to win the North Division second-half title is two (combination of Nuts wins and Giants losses).

Modesto had a shot to win it in the bottom of the 11th, and Brian Humphries came inches away after clubbing a double off the very top of the fence in right-center. With Taylor Featherston at the plate, and a 3-0 count, Humphries took off and stole third base. But, in a controversial decision, home-plate umpire Sam Vogt called an interference on Featherston that resulted in an out. Humphries was forced to go back to second, and Tyler Massey lined out to end the inning.

After working a perfect 11th inning, Nuts reliever Patrick Johnson allowed four runs on three hits in the 12th to allow the 66ers to break a 4-4 tie. Joel Capote broke the game open with a bases loaded RBI single to put Inland on top.

66ers closer R.J. Alvarez nearly collapsed in the bottom of the 12th, walking four in a row to give Modesto a chance to rally, but Eduard Santos came in and struck out Humphries to end the game.  

Dan Tillman (1-1) who worked through the scoreless 11th inning, picked up the win. Johnson (1-1) took the loss. Santos earned his fifth save.

Modesto scored all four of their runs in the contest on solo homers, starting with back-to-back jacks from Will Swanner and Harold Riggins in the 2nd. Taylor Featherston hit one in the third to make it a 3-1 Nuts lead.

Nuts starter Tyler Anderson had some control problems, but battled through six innings while allowing just one run on five hits and three walks.

Ryan Arrowood took over and pitched a scoreless seventh, but ran into trouble in the eighth. After issuing a lead-off walk to Zach Borenstein, Michael Snyder made him pay by smacking a game-tying 2-run homer, knotting the score at three. Arrowood then gave up a double to Brian Hernandez to finish his night. Kraig Sitton took over and eventually gave up a 2-out RBI single to Sherman Johnson to give the 66ers a 4-3 lead.

Trevor Story got the run right back as he led off the eighth with a solo home run to make it 4-4.

The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Nuts at John Thurman Field. Modesto will now wrap the regular season with a four-game series against Stockton.   RHP T.J. Oakes (0-0, -.--) will make his debut for Modesto, opposite RHP James Simmons (8-7, 5.62) for the Ports. First pitch on Friday night is set for 7:05 p.m.