Modesto Nuts fall to Lake Elsinore in extra innings

Fernando Perez homered in the top of the 11th inning, spoiling a Modesto Nuts comeback and leading Lake Elsinore to a 3-2 California League victory Friday night at John Thurman Field.

The Nuts tied the score 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth when Wes Rogers led off with a triple to center and, after Collin Ferguson walked, scored on a sacrifice fly by Dom Nunez.

After Drew Weeks popped to first for the second out, Shane Hoelscher singled to put the potential go-ahead run in scoring position. But Colby Blueberg struck out Max White to end the threat and send the game into extra innings.

Perez’s home run was the lone hit off reliever Troy Neiman, who struck out four of the 11 batters he faced.

Modesto starter Ryan Castellani allowed just four hits in eight innings, striking out 11 and walking none before giving way to Neiman.

After falling behind 2-0 in the second, the Nuts halved the lead in the third when Max White reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second, then scored on an error by Lake Elsinore shortstop Javier Guerra.

The teams will play Game 3 of their four-game series Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Kids can play catch on the field before the game and run the bases after the final out.

This story was originally published July 9, 2016 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Modesto Nuts fall to Lake Elsinore in extra innings."