Modesto Nuts split games in Visalia

VISALIA -- One clutch swing of the bat by Josh Rutledge salvaged a long Saturday night at the ballyard for the Modesto Nuts.

Rutledge's 3-run homer in the seventh (and final) inning lifted the Nuts to a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Visalia Rawhide in the first game of their doubleheader. Modesto managed only three hits in the nightcap, however, and lost 6-1 for a split.

The first-game victory, combined with Bakersfield's 6-4 loss to High Desert, lowered the Nuts' magic number to 3 to annex a wild-card berth in the California League playoffs. Eight games remain in the North Division second half.

Modesto trailed in the opener after Matt Davidson's three-run homer in the first off starter Chad Bettis. In the nightcap, the Nuts couldn't recover from Visalia's error-assisted, five-run fourth.

Kiel Roling homered for the Nuts' only run.