LAKE ELSINORE -- The Modesto Nuts took any drama out of their California League baseball game with Lake Elsinore early.

With a playoff berth in hand, the Modesto Nuts had a chance to make a statement in this four-game series against Bakersfield — their first-round playoff foe.

The view from Steve Sather's seat might have been the best at John Thurman Field.

Vouchers redeemable for complimentary general admission tickets to all Modesto Nuts' home California League playoff games will be available starting at noon Monday at all Stanislaus County Prime Shine Express Car Wash locations, all Boyett Petroleum and Cruisers locations in Modesto, Ceres and Salida and at Best Buy on Sisk Road. The Nuts could be hosting anywhere from one to seven postseason games, depending on how they finish the regular season and how deep they go into the playoffs. To buy reserved seat playoff tickets, call 572-4487.

It might have gone down as the least spontaneous playoff-clinching celebration in the history of professional baseball.

The Modesto Nuts went to the clubhouse as a group ready to celebrate the clinching of a wild-card berth.

If Thursday night could be interpreted as a playoff dress rehearsal, the Modesto Nuts need more stage work.

Not even Cory Riordan could save the Modesto Nuts on Wednesday night.

Riordan, the Nuts' best pitcher the second half of the season, probably deserved to win on most nights, but not this one.

The collapse of the Modesto Nuts was so quick and discouraging Tuesday night that even the Faith Night crowd left early.

For the Modesto Nuts this is the last regular-season homestand. And this seven-game set at John Thurman Field, which opened with Monday's 8-1 win over Lake Elsinore, will be followed by the final road trip.

The Modesto Nuts got decent production from its offense and outstanding pitching on Sunday. But the Nuts' defense did them in.

BAKERSFIELD — The Modesto Nuts went into a funk in the bottom of the eighth Saturday after centerfielder Charles Blackmon was ejected, and lost 4-1 to Bakersfield.

If the Modesto Nuts reach the California League playoffs, they owe much of their success to pitcher Cory Riordan.

Thursday marked the 123rd game of the season for the Modesto Nuts, and — remarkably — the 117th unique batting order concocted by manager Jerry Weinstein.

STOCKTON -- Ethan Hollingsworth has been with Modesto for only seven starts this season.