SS Noelvi Marte went 3-for-5, including his 11th homer of the season, as Modesto got back in the win column, downing Stockton 8-5 Saturday night at John Thurman Field. The Seattle Mariners’ #5 prospect led a 13-hit attack that got out of the gates fast with a 3-run first inning.
The Nuts sent seven men to the plate in the bottom of the first and cashed in three runs on an Alberto Rodriguez groundout and a two-run single by Trent Tinglestad. Modesto tacked on another run in the fourth on an error by Stockton SS Robert Puason.
The Ports rallied for two runs in the top of the 4th on an RBI single by RF Danny Bautista and a bases-loaded walk to C Jose Rivas. The visitors cut the lead in half at 4-2 but that is as close as they would get.
Modesto posted another 3-run inning in the sixth with an RBI single from Marte and a 2-RBI single by C Matt Sheffler. Stockton answered in the top of the seventh with a 2-run homer by DH Joshwan Wright to cut the lead to 7-4.
Marte blasted his 11th homer of the year in the bottom of the eighth and Rivas answered back with a solo shot, his 2nd on the year, in the top of the ninth to finish the scoring at 8-5. RHP Travis Kuhn worked around a walk and got all three outs via strikeout.
Lefty Brayan Perez went 3 1/3 innings for Modesto, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk with 3 Ks. RHP Kelvin Nunez (W, 4-1) came on and covered 3 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks with 3 Ks.
Stockton’s offense had nine hits, led by Wright’s 2-for-4 night and 1B Gavin Jones‘ 2-for-4 effort.
At 35-24, Modesto stayed three games back of Fresno in the North division while Stockton (25-34) dropped to 13 games out.
It was my first time at John Thurman Field since 2018 and the crowd was a little light, probably due to the temp somehow being hotter than the surface of the sun, but it was a fun ballpark experience as always. Great staff, great food choices, and the hottest team in Low-A West on the field did the trick. (The Nuts have won 8 of their last 10, as have the Fresno Grizzlies). My wife and I drank more sodas and bottled water than we normally do in a week and we stuck around for some Comedy Night entertainment. That’s minor league baseball magic.
