The Modesto Nuts scored five runs in their last three turns at bat and held off San Jose 6-4 on Sunday at John Thurman Field. Randy Bednar hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the seventh inning, and Walking Cabrera singled in a run in the eighth to provide the winning margin.
San Jose scored two runs on four hits in the top of the ninth but came up just short as Modesto turned a double play to end the game.
Modesto starter Joseph Hernandez went five strong innings but got no decision. The 21-year old from the Dominican Republic allowed 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts. Yeury Tatiz (W, 2-1) was the beneficiary of Modesto’s late surge and earned the win by going 2 1/3 innings and allowing 1 run on 2 hits with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
San Jose got 5 good innings from starter Eric Silva, who allowed 1 run on 2 hits with no walks and 6 Ks.
Cabrera had two hits and two RBIs to lead Modesto. Victor Bericoto and Riley Mahan each had two hits for San Jose.
Modesto (21-24) won four of the six games in the series and is now 8 games out of first place in the North division. San Jose (26-19) drops to 3 games behind first-place Fresno.
The Nuts host Fresno next while San Jose hosts Stockton starting on Monday, the only Memorial Day game in the California League, with an off day Tuesday before the series resumes.
SCOREBOARD
INLAND EMPIRE – 2
LAKE ELSINORE 5
Gameday
INLAND EMPIRE – 0
LAKE ELSINORE – 9
Gameday
STOCKTON – 1
FRESNO – 7
Gameday
Story
VISALIA – 1
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – 7
Gameday
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