Modesto Nuts’ Jiminian sharp in series opener against Bakersfield

Johendi Jiminian threw seven solid innings and Ryan McMahon hit his sixth home run of the season as the Modesto Nuts got their four-game trip to Bakersfield off to a good start with a 3-1 California League victory over the Blaze on Thursday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

Jiminian (3-6) allowed just four hits, walked none and struck out five while tossing an economical 74 pitches.

McMahon, who’s been one of the hottest hitters in the league over the past three weeks, was 1-for-4 with a solo blast in the fourth. The 20-year-old third baseman had a streak of four straight games with multiple hits snapped on Tuesday, and he was hitless in the series finale against Wednesday against Rancho Cucamonga, but he got back on track Thursday. Since May 20, he’s 30-for-71 (.423).

Center fielder Raimel Tapia was 2-for-3 as he pushed his batting average back over the .300 mark (.302).

The Nuts got on the board in the first when leadoff man Tapia singled and later scored on a groundout by first baseman Cornelle Prime. After McMahon’s homer made it 2-0, Modesto added its final run of the night in the fifth.

Left fielder Dillon Thomas drew a leadoff walk off new pitcher Will Mathis. Thomas was sacrificed to second by Wilson Soriano, stole third and then scored on a single by Tapia.

Bakersfield added a run in the ninth off Troy Neiman, but he was able to escape the jam and record his second save of the season.

The Nuts on Saturday will throw Antonio Senzatela, who is 4-3 with a 2.22 ERA this season.

This story was originally published June 11, 2015 at 11:01 PM with the headline "Modesto Nuts’ Jiminian sharp in series opener against Bakersfield."