Return home doesn’t change fortunes for Modesto Nuts

A return to John Thurman Field on Thursday did nothing to change the fortunes of the Modesto Nuts, who dropped their fifth straight, 7-2 to the San Jose Giants, after going 1-8 on a season-long nine-game road trip.

Modesto’s Carlos Polanco and San Jose’s Mark Reyes were locked in a pitchers’ duel for the first six innings, matching each other zero for zero.

But the Nuts blinked first, after Polanco allowed a single and a walk to start the seventh. At that point, he was relieved by Helmis Rodriguez, who loaded the bases with a walk, before striking out the next two batters. On the cusp of wiggling out of trouble, Rodriguez yielded a two-run single and then a two-run double as San Jose took a 4-0 lead.

Modesto cut into the lead on Forrest Wall’s solo shot to right in the eighth, but San Jose added three more in the ninth to blow the game open.

Max White’s RBI double for the Nuts in the bottom of the ninth provided the final margin.

Polanco (1-5) gave up six hits and two walks while striking out 10 in six innings of work. Reyes (5-1) allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts. He worked 8 2/3 innings, needing Dusten Knight to get the final out.

Modesto (21-38) remains out of the North Division cellar by one game, while San Jose (34-25) trails first-place Visalia by four games.

The teams will resume their four-game series Friday night at John Thurman Field, as the Nuts celebrate Noche de Beisbol, where fans are encouraged to celebrate the Latin influence on the sport. After the game there will be a fireworks display. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Return home doesn’t change fortunes for Modesto Nuts."