Nuts strike first in playoff series with Bakersfield

The postseason presents a mental quandary for all who earn the right to attack it.

Do you approach the first postseason contest just like a normal game? Do you let the extra pressure of the playoffs enter in? Or do you simply play like there's no tomorrow, because two bad games will end the season.

For Modesto Nuts' starting pitcher Cory Riordan, who had a strong outing in a 5-3 playoff-opening victory over Bakersfield, the correct answer was "all of the above."

"You have to approach it as a normal game, but that becomes almost impossible with the circumstances," Riordan said. "You have a little bit extra juice and get a little extra fired-up, and then you have to go out there and throw 110 percent. You're not saving anything because there's a chance you won't be pitching until April."

If Riordan's next start comes this season, it will be in a second-round game against San Jose and would come only after the Nuts take care of business at Sam Lynn Ballpark, where this best-of-three California League first-round playoff resumes tonight.

Riordan, who went 8-2 over his last 11 starts to finish 12-7 and emerge as the ace of the Modesto rotation, finished the season leading the league in innings pitched with 169 2/3.

The Nuts, whose bullpen carried the team in the first half but faltered in the second half, were counting on Riordan going deep into Wednesday's opener, and he delivered by going 7 2/3 innings and allowing three runs (only one earned) on seven hits. He walked one and struck out seven.

But Modesto has been in this position very recently, like just last year. The Nuts were the No. 3 seed in the North in 2008, won the first game at home against Stockton, then lost the next two nights to end the campaign.

A major difference in last year and this year for the Nuts can be found right up the middle. Modesto had trouble turning double plays during the entire 2008 season after the opening night injury to shortstop Hector Gomez.

But this year, with a healthy Gomez back at shortstop and a year-older Jason Van Kooten at second base, the Nuts boast one of the league's top double-play combinations.

And that pivot pair worked their magic in the opener, turning smooth double plays in the sixth and eighth innings of what then was a one-run game after the Blaze leadoff hitter had reached base.

"We did some really good things tonight," said Nuts' manager Jerry Weinstein. "We turned really nice double plays, and we pitched down in the zone to get those ground balls. We did our share of strange things, but we found a way to win tonight."

Bakersfield scored in the first when Mauro Gomez lined an 0-2 pitch for a two-out RBI single against Riordan, but the Nuts struck back instantly when Charlie Blackmon led off with a single and Hector Gomez homered to left off Blaze starter Kennil Gomez.

Modesto committed two infield errors in the third to allow two unearned runs to score, giving Bakersfield a 3-2 lead, but the Blaze were held scoreless the rest of the way by Riordan and relievers Joey Williamson and Craig Baker.

Van Kooten walked to open the fourth, was balked to second and strolled home on Matt Repec's double to left to tie the game 3-3.

The winning rally came in the seventh off Bakersfield reliever Ryan Falcon, who gave up a leadoff two-strike double to Brian Rike. Blackmon's third hit of the game — a double to right — gave the Nuts a 4-3 lead.

Bakersfield threatened in the eighth, getting two two-out singles to put runners at first and third and end Riordan's night. Williamson entered to quell the threat by striking out Turlock High graduate Tommy Mendonca.

The Nuts added insurance in the eighth with Jay Cox walked, took second on a wild pitch and scored when Lars Davis smacked an 0-2 pitch to left-center.

That was more than enough for league saves leader Baker, who allowed a leadoff infield hit before retiring the next three hitters to send the Nuts to Bakersfield with a 1-0 series lead.

If Riordan doesn't get a chance to pitch again this season, it was a heck of a way to go out. But he's not thinking that way, nor are his teammates.

"I'd love to pitch against San Jose again," Riordan said. "We just have to take care of business in one of these next two days and get back at this weekend against San Jose."

Bee staff writer Brian VanderBeek can be reached at bvanderbeek@modbee.com or 578-2300.