Tying run cut down at plate in Modesto Nuts’ 1-0 loss to Visalia

The Modesto Nuts’ frustration against Visalia was illustrated on the final play of Wednesday night’s 1-0 loss at Thurman Field.

Luis Jean, attempting to score on a ball that skipped away from Rawhide catcher Oscar Hernandez, was thrown out at the plate. So ended a frustrating game for the home team, which fell to 0-5 against the California League North Division leader.

Jean singled to right with one out and advanced to second and third on two wild pitches. Hernandez, forced to retrieve ball four to Max White, slid on his knee as he tossed to pitcher Austin Wright at the plate for the tag.

Jean was the only Modestan to reach third base. The Nuts managed only one run in the first two games of the series.

Nuts starter Sam Howard (2-2) suffered a tough-luck loss. He struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings but was victimized by an unearned run in the seventh. Colin Bray doubled and scored on an error by shortstop Emerson Jimenez.

Visalia’s Brad Keller (3-2) struck out six in 7 2/3 innings.

Modesto leadoff man Omar Carrizales had three of Modesto’s six hits.

Modesto manager Fred Ocasio and first baseman Collin Ferguson were ejected after they argued a call at first in the ninth.

The Nuts and Rawhide finished the three-game series Thursday night. Modesto begins a four-game series at Inland Empire on Friday.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 10:23 PM with the headline "Tying run cut down at plate in Modesto Nuts’ 1-0 loss to Visalia."