Modesto Nuts force extra innings, then beat Bakersfield in 10th

After leading early in the game, the Modesto Nuts scored a needed run in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings, then beat the Bakersfield Blaze 5-4 in the 10th when Raimel Tapia scored from third on Ryan McMahon’s single through a drawn-in infield.

It was Modesto’s eighth walk-off win of the season, according to the Nuts’ website.

Trailing 4-3 in the ninth, Dillon Thomas tripled off the wall in right field and scored when Bakersfield’s cutoff man had the throw deflect off his glove.

In front of an announced crowd of 821, which baked in 102-degree heat at John Thurman Field, Nuts pitchers Konner Wade, Sam Moll and Matt Carasiti (3-5) combined for 11 strikeouts and no walks.

But the Blaze scored three runs in the top of the eighth, two on a home run by Tyler O’Neill, to take a 4-3 lead. It was O’Neill’s 16th homer of the season.

The Nuts took a 3-0 lead in the third. McMahon doubled in Tapia, who drew a one-out walk, Jordan Patterson scored on a wild pitch, and Correlle Prime singled home McMahon, who had three of Modesto’s 10 hits. Prime, Tapia and Thomas each had two hits.

The series resumes Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Modesto Nuts force extra innings, then beat Bakersfield in 10th."