Modesto Nuts take series finale from Visalia, trail by 8 in Cal League’s North Division

Harrison Musgrave pitched five perfect innings before allowing a baserunner in the sixth and led the Modesto Nuts to a 2-0 victory over the Visalia Rawhide on Monday at John Thurman Field.

The Nuts won three of four from the California League’s North Division leader on this brief homestand and are now eight games behind the Rawhide. After a day off Tuesday, the team hits the road for three at South leader Rancho Cucamonga and then four more at Visalia’s Recreation Park.

If the Nuts can make up ground while playing the Cal League’s top two teams, they would play 14 home dates in their last 18 games before the Carolina/California All-Star Game on June 23 in Rancho Cucamonga.

Musgrave was dominant Monday, fanning the first two hitters and sending the first 16 Visalia batters back to the dugout. With one out in the sixth, Musgrave walked Rawhide left fielder Chuck Taylor.

After fanning catcher Michael Perez for the second out, Rawhide center fielder Breland Almadova singled to end the no-hit bid.

The shutout came when Taylor was thrown at home trying to score on the play.

After retiring the side in the seventh, Musgrave gave way to Troy Neiman, who gave up two hits and struck out two. He earned a save because Visalia’s previously unbeaten Blake Perry (4-1) kept the game close, scattering eight hits while fanning seven.

Musgrave got the only run he would need when left fielder Raimel Tapia homered to right in the third, his fifth of the season. The Nuts added an insurance run in the seventh when Zach Osborne’s sacrifice fly plated Rosell Herrera, who singled to lead off the inning.

This story was originally published May 25, 2015 at 7:45 PM with the headline "Modesto Nuts take series finale from Visalia, trail by 8 in Cal League’s North Division."