Modesto Nuts fall in extra innings for second time against Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

For the second time in their three-game series with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Modesto Nuts were defeated in extra innings, falling 4-2 in 10 frames as they wrapped up a seven-game California League homestand Wednesday night at John Thurman Field.

Modesto dropped a 2-1 decision in 11 innings Monday night, and had a 5-4, come-from-behind walk-off victory on Tuesday, as all three games with the Dodgers’ High-A affiliate were closely contested.

“We pitched well in all three games, and it was another good defensive game for us,” said Nuts manager Fred Ocasio, whose club played its fifth consecutive error-free contest. “Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other team.”

In the top of the 10th, Kyle Farmer, the Cal League’s leading hitter (.346), got aboard with a one-out single, setting the stage for cleanup hitter Cody Bellinger. The lanky, 6-foot-4, 180-pound first baseman launched a Matt Carasiti offering over the wall in left to give the Quakes a 4-2 lead.

Bellinger, 19, ranks third in the league with 46 RBIs and is tied for fifth with 12 homers.

The Nuts didn’t go quietly in their half of the 10th, with Dillon Thomas and Wilson Soriano opening the frame with back-to-back singles. No. 9 hitter Zach Osborne advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt to give the top of the lineup two cracks to tie the score with a hit.

But hard-throwing Ramon Benjamin induced a pop-up to short from Raimel Tapia and caught Jordan Patterson looking at strike three to end the game.

After two consecutive rocky outings, Modesto’s Konner Wade got back on track with a solid 71/3 innings of work. He scattered eight hits, walked two and struck out four, and was more consistent with his location.

“I was able to work ahead in the count, something I hadn’t been able to do the last two starts,” said Wade, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound native of Scottsdale, Ariz. “I got into a lot of hitters’ counts the last two games. I got ahead tonight and was able to go to my off-speed pitches.”

Wade gave up a run in the fourth after Bellinger doubled to right and was driven in on Tyler Ogle’s single to left.

When the Nuts scored two in the fifth – Thomas doubled and scored; Osborne walked and scored on a Patterson single – Wade was in line to snap a five-start losing streak. He accomplished that, but an RBI groundout by Bellinger tied the score in the sixth and Wade was unable to pick up his first victory since May 7, when he allowed just two hits and fanned seven in eight innings against Bakersfield.

“Wade threw the ball better and was more around the zone tonight,” Ocasio said. “He gave up a couple of walks but those were late in the game.”

Offensively for Modesto, catcher Ashley Graeter, Tapia and Thomas each had a pair of hits. Thomas (2 for 4) had just three hits in his previous 23 at-bats and hadn’t had a multi-hit game since May 18 at Stockton.

“Dillon had three quality at-bats,” Ocasio said. “He had the two hits and hit the ball hard a third time.”

Thomas said he’s remained confident through his recent slump.

“I’ve been feeling good at the plate, but the results just haven’t been there,” the Houston native said. “You can only miss your pitch so many times before the guy out there throws something dirty and you strike out.

“But I just try to tell myself to trust the process, trust the work that you’ve put in, and eventually they’ll start falling.”

After the four games in Bakersfield, the Nuts return home for three with San Jose and four against High Desert.

This story was originally published June 11, 2015 at 7:26 AM with the headline "Modesto Nuts fall in extra innings for second time against Rancho Cucamonga Quakes."