Modesto Nuts begin seven-game homestand Thursday against Stockton Ports

The Modesto Nuts begin a seven-game homestand Thursday at John Thurman Field and a stretch in which they will play 14 of 18 games at home as the first half of the California League season draws to a close.

Up first for the Nuts are the Stockton Ports, who are in town for four games – three 7:05 p.m. starts and a 1:05 start Sunday.

Modesto is eight games behind Visalia in the race for the Cal League’s North Division title and has 18 games to make up the difference before the standings reset after the California-Carolina All-Star Game on June 23 in Rancho Cucamonga.

That’s a tall order, for sure, but while the Nuts have only a four-game trip to last-place Bakersfield sandwiched in between seven-game homestands, the Rawhide plays 11 of its final 18 on the road. Visalia will play four games against South leader Rancho Cucamonga and six against Lancaster, the second-place team in the south.

Konner Wade (2-5, 4.66) will pitch for the Nuts on Thursday. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native will be looking for his first win since May 7, when he went eight innings and allowed just two hits and a walk while fanning seven Bakersfield batters. Since then, he has lost four consecutive starts.

Starting for the Ports will be Dylan Covey (4-3, 3.45), who scattered five hits and struck out five over six innings in an 11-6 win over the Nuts on May 18 at Banner Island Ballpark.

Fans attending Thursday’s game can pick up tacos for $2, courtesy of La Perla Tapatia markets, and $2 Jack Tone wine by McManis Family Vineyards from 6 to 8 p.m.

The rest of the promotional schedule for the homestand is as follows: Noche de Beisbol and postgame fireworks on Friday; International Heritage Night and fireworks on Saturday; Al the Almond’s Birthday Extravaganza on Sunday (kids can play catch on the field before the game and kids 4-13 can run the bases after); Make Mondays Matter, where fans can bring two gently used clothing items, two books or two canned food items and receive a ticket to that night’s game; and on Wednesday fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs, soft drinks, snacks and bounce-house wristbands ($2 for select beers and Jack Tone wine).

This story was originally published June 3, 2015 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Modesto Nuts begin seven-game homestand Thursday against Stockton Ports."