Nuts Edge Quakes in Ninth
Modesto, CA – The Modesto Nuts tallied a run in the bottom of the ninth, earning a 2-1 walk-off win over the Quakes on Friday night at John Thurman Field in Modesto. Eduardo Quintero, who finished with three extra-base hits, tied the game in the eighth, only to see the
Modesto, CA – The Modesto Nuts tallied a run in the bottom of the ninth, earning a 2-1 walk-off win over the Quakes on Friday night at John Thurman Field in Modesto.
Eduardo Quintero, who finished with three extra-base hits, tied the game in the eighth, only to see the Nuts score in the last of the ninth to earn their second win of the six-game series.
Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Felix Cabrera (1-5) entered and immediately walked the first two hitters. After a ground ball put runners at the corners with one out, Cesar Quintas came to the plate and hit a sharp ground ball to first base. Jose Meza made a diving play to stop it, but didn’t realistically have a shot at the plate, nor an inning-ending double-play. His throw to second was off the mark, ending the game with Matt Ellis crossing the plate with the winning run.
Rancho starter Christian Zazueta gave up a first-inning run, but settled into a nice groove, allowing just one run on four hits over six innings.
Modesto starter Walter Ford was brilliant in a tough-luck start, throwing six scoreless innings, while scattering just three hits.
Nuts’ reliever Jose Zerpa (1-0) was credited with the win, despite giving up a game-tying double to Quintero in the eighth inning.
The Quakes (32-17) will send Sterling Patick (0-2) to the hill on Saturday night at 6:40pm, with Modesto’s Christian Little (0-3) going for the Nuts.
The Quakes will finally return home to LoanMart Field on Tuesday, June 3rd, taking on the San Jose Giants in a six-game series. Tuesday the third will be another Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday, as fans can log on to the website and learn how to score a free ticket to the game. Tickets are available at rcquakes.com. Go Quakes!