Blaze put end to Nuts' season

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BAKERSFIELD — The window for the Modesto Nuts to advance to the second round of the California League playoffs may have closed Thursday, when they blew a four-run lead and a chance to sweep the Bakersfield Blaze.

There was no such opportunity Friday night, as the Nuts managed only seven hits in a 6-1 loss to the Blaze as Sam Lynn Ballpark that ended Modesto's season.

Bakersfield starter Richard Bleier, roughed up for 17 runs on 34 hits in his last four starts against Modesto, had it going in the clincher. The lefty worked eight innings and allowed only four singles and three doubles while striking out eight without walking a batter.

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It was the Blaze's first postseason appearance and series win since it defeated Mudville (Stockton) two games to one in the first round of the 2001 North Division playoffs.

They advance to the best-of-five division championship series against San Jose, which opens today at 2 p.m. in San Jose.

Modesto scored in the first inning, getting a two-out double from Jason Van Kooten (the first of his three hits) and an RBI single from Scott Beerer, but would not score again, despite getting runners to second and third with no outs in both the second and third innings.

Nuts starter Bruce Billings took the loss, allowing three runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings, with 10 strikeouts.