Visalia sweeps three over Nuts

The Visalia Rawhide has gotten the jump on everyone in the California League’s North Division.

The Rawhide shook off a 4-0 deficit Thursday night and rolled to an 8-4 win and a three-game series sweep over the Modesto Nuts.

Visalia (14-6), already three games ahead of the pack and six games better than Modesto (8-12), handed the Nuts their fourth straight loss.

The Nuts started fast, thanks to Collin Ferguson’s solo homer, his fourth of the season and his second in three nights. Modesto tacked on three runs in the third on Wes Rogers’ two-RBI single and Luis Jean’s groundout which scored Rogers.

Nuts starter Ryan Castellani (0-1) couldn’t hold onto the lead. Rudy Flores launched his four-RBI night with a sacrifice fly during Visalia’s three-run third.

The Rawhide, encouraged by a 2,101 at Recreation Park. took the lead to stay with two runs in the fifth. Visalia touched reliever Colin Welmon for three runs in the seventh, featuring Flores’ two-run homer.

Rogers, returning to the leadoff spot after the two-game rehab assignment by the Colorado Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon, went 2-for-5. Omar Carrizales also had two hits.

Modesto opens a three-game weekend series Friday night at Thurman Field against the Stockton Ports.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 10:15 PM with the headline "Visalia sweeps three over Nuts."