Another strong start for Wiest, but Modesto Nuts squander lead late in 3-2 loss to 66ers

Like so many players who reach professional baseball, Modesto Nuts pitcher Grahamm Wiest began his journey at a young age.

But unlike his peers, Wiest had access to state-of-the-art technology before he reached his teens, which helped him solidify a set of mechanics he still utilizes.

Wiest, in his first full pro campaign, limited Inland Empire to one run over five innings but was not involved in the decision as the 66ers scored one in the ninth and two in the 10th to beat Modesto 3-2.

Sam Moll followed Wiest with three hitless innings, but closer Rayan Gonzalez blew the save in the ninth on a single, two wild pitches and a sacrifice fly. The 66ers plated the winner on Kaleb Cowart’s one-out RBI double off Matt Carasiti.

When Wiest was 12 and already showing great promise as a pitcher, he made a visit to the Center for Human Performance at the Children’s Hospital of San Diego.

The center placed 30 sensors all over his body, and his pitching motion was recorded into a computer and studied much like he was being used as a motion model for a baseball video game.

“I was working with Tom House at the time and was fortunate enough to do some motion analysis and figure out some mechanical stuff when I was young,” Wiest said. “I don’t remember why I was doing that at 12 and I barely remember doing it, but I’ve stayed healthy throughout my career and part of staying healthy is mechanical and trying to stay fluid.”

The motion analysis revealed a young man with a sound delivery – one that wouldn’t obviously lend itself to injury through improper mechanics.

Not coincidentally, he’s been injury-free through his career, which included three standout seasons at Junipero Serra High School in San Juan Capistrano and three at Cal State Fullerton before Colorado took him in the 14th round of the 2014 draft.

He made his pro debut in Tri-City, going 1-3 with a 3.90 ERA in eight games, then made the jump over Low-A Asheville to Modesto this season. In two California League games, he’s 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA – a great start for a pitcher skipping a level.

“I tried not to think about where I’d be sent in spring training,” Wiest said. “I just went out and tried to have a good day, every day, to make quality pitches in the bullpen and during live batting practice. I was surprised when I was sent here, but I’m still just trying to have good days.”

The Nuts scored twice in the second inning against 66ers starter Jordan Kipper but would leave runners stranded in scoring position in each of Kipper’s five innings.

Rosell Herrera led off with a triple to center and scored when Wilfredo Rodriguez blooped a one-out single to center. After Wilson Soriano and Raimel Tapia reached to load the bases, Rodriguez scored on Michael Benjamin’s ground ball to first base.

Wiest gave up hits in four of his five innings but was touched only in the fourth, when Eric Aguilera lined a leadoff homer to right-center, and got through the rest of his outing by relying on his smooth, repeatable motion.

“I’ve been pitching much the same way mechanically since I was 12, and I’ll continue to do so for as long as my career lasts,” he said.

This story was originally published April 18, 2015 at 10:33 PM with the headline "Another strong start for Wiest, but Modesto Nuts squander lead late in 3-2 loss to 66ers."