Modesto pitcher Senzatela back from injury, outdueled by Bakersfield’s Altavilla

Modesto Nuts starter Antonio Senzatela was sharp in his return from a knee injury, but Bakersfield’s Dan Altavilla was a little sharper in the Blaze’s 3-2 California League victory Thursday night at John Thurman Field.

Senzatela (4-4), who strained a ligament in his right knee, had not pitched since June 13, missed his final start of the first half and was unable to play in the California League-Carolina League All-Star Game on June 23 in Rancho Cucamonga. In his first action in nearly three weeks, the 20-year-old right-hander allowed four hits, two walks and struck out five in five innings of work. He gave up two earned runs in the third on a walk and two singles.

“After the first inning my knee felt pretty good,” said the native of Venezuela. “But tonight my command was not good.”

That, perhaps, is to be expected after the long layoff. Altavilla (3-6), however, was making his usual turn in Bakersfield’s rotation. He went seven innings, allowed just five hits and walked none while fanning eight. Aaron Brooks, who pitched the last two innings to earn his first save of the season, struck out five.

After falling behind 2-0, the Nuts halved the deficit when center fielder Ramiel Tapia singled in catcher Troy Stein, who reached on a one-out single to left and advanced 90 feet on single by second baseman Wilson Soriano. After the Blaze got the run back in the sixth on Kyle Petty’s RBI single, the Nuts again pulled to within a run in the eighth.

Tapia tripled down the right field line with one out and came home on a grounder to first by right fielder Jordan Patterson. But Brooks fanned third baseman Ryan McMahon for the final out of the eighth, then struck out the side in the ninth to end the game.

The Nuts and Blaze will close out their four-game series Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Fans can enjoy the Independence Day Celebration and postgame fireworks.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 10:55 PM with the headline "Modesto pitcher Senzatela back from injury, outdueled by Bakersfield’s Altavilla."