Modesto Nuts are swept by Visalia, host Stockton for 4 games in big series

The Modesto Nuts’ four-game series against Stockton, beginning Thursday night at John Thurman Field, just gained in importance.

After losing to Visalia 3-1 on Wednesday night – and being swept in the three-game series – the Nuts fell four games behind the Rawhide in the California League’s North Division second-half standings with 18 games remaining.

But Modesto maintained its one-game lead over Stockton in the wild-card race. The Ports lost to San Jose 3-1 on Wednesday. That’s the good – and bad – news for the Nuts. With its win, San Jose also pulled into a tie with Stockton in the wild-card chase, one game behind Modesto.

The Nuts received another quality start from Cal League ERA leader Antonio Senzatela (8-7, 2.40), who allowed two runs, four hits and three walks in six innings with six strikeouts. He served up Daniel Palka’s 24th home run of the season, a solo shot, in the bottom of the second inning but was stellar overall. Visalia totaled five hits and stranded just four base runners.

Modesto, on the other hand, stranded eight runners and was 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Trailing 2-0, the Nuts scored in the seventh on Wilson Soriano’s RBI single.

This story was originally published August 19, 2015 at 10:41 PM with the headline "Modesto Nuts are swept by Visalia, host Stockton for 4 games in big series."