RSS Electronic Edition | Newsletters Subscribe | Customer Service Contact Us | Community Buy Photos Modmomsclub

Sports - Modesto Nuts

Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

Nuts' offense continues to struggle in 3-1 loss

E-Mail Print

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

For the second straight game, the Nuts submitted without much of an argument at the plate, falling this time to the Bakersfield Blaze 3-1. If all trends hold in the final 10 games of the regular season, the Nuts and the Blaze will meet in the first round of the California League playoffs.

By the way, the teams are 13-13.

"If we do face them, it's going to be a good series," Modesto catcher Lars Davis said. "When we're playing our best, I think the series can be to our advantage, but we have to get there first."

Right now, the Nuts aren't getting there. They've lost five of their last six, and during back-to-back 3-1 setbacks, they collected only 10 hits and grounded into five double plays.

An upbeat crowd of 3,023 at Thurman Field waited for action but settled for the homecoming of Turlock hero Tommy Mendonca, the Bakersfield third baseman. He doubled and scored in his Cal League debut, and that was more than sufficient for the visitors.

Modesto lefty Christian Friedrich (3-2), sharp in his last five starts, lacked the same effectiveness. He did display some resilience in the fifth, however, after he walked in a run with the bases still loaded and no one out. Friedrich exited with a flourish, striking out Mauro Gomez, Mike Bianucci and Ian Gac to keep Modesto within arm's reach.

Bakersfield extended its lead to 3-1 off reliever Joey Williamson in the sixth. Mendonca, less than 24 hours after his callup from short-season Spokane, doubled down the right field line. He advanced on a sacrifice and scored on an odd sacrifice fly to shall left.

The Nuts' Jay Cox dove to make the play but bobbled the ball as he bounced to his feet. Mendonca stepped home, but the umpires -- conferring for about two minutes about whether Mendonca tagged up -- ruled a sacrifice fly.

Right-hander Kennil Gomez (7-10) bobbed and weaved over six innings but remained upright. Hector Gomez, responsible for Modesto's lone RBIs the last two games, doubled in the fourth and trotted home on Maikol Gonzalez's bases-loaded walk.

Modesto also put runners on second and third in the seventh off reliever Glenn Swanson but Jason Van Kooten popped up and pinch-hitter Michael Mitchell grounded out.

Loss aside, Modesto continued to close in on a playoff berth. But now there's a new priority -- staying ahead of Bakersfield in the wild-card case. The Nuts lead the Blaze by three games with three matchups left. The reward is homefield advantage in a three-game series. Modesto is 9-5 at home vs. Bakersfield.

"We do not want to put ourselves in a position to play two games down there," manager Jerry Weinstein said.

For now, Priority 1 is finding their bats.

NOTES -- A sellout is expected for tonight's second game of the series. Bruce Billings (5-9, 4.23) pitches for the Nuts, followed by fireworks post-game. ... Infielder Matt Repec, out of town for the marriage of his brother, will return for Saturday night's game.

Bee staff writer Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee or 578-2302.