Eight Unanswered Runs Down Nuts 12-4

After the Modesto Nuts tied the game in the fifth inning, the Bakersfield Blaze scored eight unanswered runs to down the nuts 12-4 on Saturday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Jesse Winker drove in six runs for the Blaze (3-0) to hand the Nuts (0-3) the season-opening-series loss. Winker started the scoring for Bakersfield with a three-run blast in the first inning off Nuts' starter Andrew Brown (L, 0-1). Brown finished after 4.2 innings and surrendering seven runs on eight hits. Winker added a sac fly in the fifth and busted things open with a two-RBI double off the right field wall in the sixth inning.

Modesto got on the board in the third frame when Francisco Sosa torched a two-run shot over the center field wall. Sosa would leave the game in the fifth after being hit by a pitch. Later in that inning, the Nuts tied the game at four by taking advantage of a Blaze defensive miscue. A fielding error by second baseman Ryan Wright allowed one run to score before David Kandilas delivered a RBI single.

Mike Dennhardt started the game for Bakersfield but left the game in the third after taking a line drive off his forearm. Jimmy Moran (W, 1-0) earned the win out of the bullpen by tossing 2.1 innings. The righty gave up two unearned runs on three hits.

The Nuts look to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon. The Nuts will send lefty Jayson Aquino (0-0, -.--) to the mound against right-hander Ben Lively (0-0, -.--). First pitch is at 12:00 p.m., coverage at ModestoNuts.com begins at 11:55 a.m.