Modesto Nuts sputter home after being swept in 4 by Bakersfield

The Modesto Nuts were swept in four games at Bakersfield and will return home having lost six of seven overall – but still locked in a three-way tie for first place in the California League’s North Division second-half standings.

Modesto, first-half champion Visalia and San Jose are 26-17 in the second half after each lost Sunday night – the Nuts fell to the Blaze 4-3, San Jose lost to Lake Elsinore 3-0, and Visalia was blown out by Inland Empire 18-8.

The Nuts will have Monday off before starting a six-game homestand Tuesday with the first of three games against Stockton.

Tyler O’Neill keyed a three-run fifth inning for Bakersfield with his 26th home run of the season, a two-run shot that followed an RBI double by Tim Lopes in front of an announced crowd of 425 at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Ashley Graeter singled to lead off Modesto’s ninth, but the Nuts couldn’t move him into scoring position, and the threat ended there.

Leadoff hitter Raimel Tapia continued to swing a hot bat for the Nuts, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, his 29th and 30th of the season. He also stole his 23rd base. Graeter and Rosell Herrera each had two of Modesto’s 11 hits, but the Nuts were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

Modesto loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning but managed only to tie the score 1-1 when Correlle Prime grounded into a force play. The inning ended with Drew Weeks being caught trying to steal home.

Herrera homered – his fourth – to lead off the Modesto sixth, and Tapia doubled home Graeter in the seventh.

Losing pitcher Alex Balog (1-5) allowed four runs, seven hits and two walks in 42/3 innings. He also picked off two runners. Jacob Newberry, Rayan Gonzalez and Troy Neiman followed with a combined 31/3 innings of shutout relief, though they did total five walks.

This story was originally published August 9, 2015 at 10:57 PM with the headline "Modesto Nuts sputter home after being swept in 4 by Bakersfield."