Nuts Douse Blaze in the Ninth, 6-5

The Modesto Nuts (14-6) and the Blaze (6-14) combined for 21 hits as the Nuts doused the Blaze 6-5 to take two of a three game series Thursday in front of a crowd of 960 at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The Nut's would score first with two hits in the first inning on a double by Charles Blackmon that later led to the first run of the game when Hector Gomez would bring him in with a single on a fly ball to right.

The Blaze would answer back in the second scoring one run on two hits including a double by Jonathan Greene, his third of the season, to even the game at one apiece.

The Nuts added two more in the third on 3H and a walk to regain the lead 3-1, before Renny Osuna's solo blast to left field in the sixth and Joey Butlers bomb to right in the seventh once again knotted the score at three.

Blaze starter Tim Murphy (2-2), would go six innings allowing 7H, and 3 ER, while walking three and fanning eight of the 25 batters he faced. Relievers Adalberto Flores (1-1), Cory Young (0-2) and Brennan Garr would combine for 8 Ks, giving up 4H, and allowing 2 ER over three innings.

Modesto would once again regain the lead and hold on for the win, on a Wilin Rosario solo home run in the eighth and Brian Rike's two-run homer in the ninth, despite a ninth-inning two-run Blaze rally that would strand the tying run on third to end the game, 6-3.

Nuts Starter Branden Durden (2-0) gave up 2 ER on 5H and striking out two in 6 IP. Reliever Joey Williamson (3-0) would get the win and closer Craig Baker who entered the game in the bottom of the ninth would preserve the lead and post his ninth save of the season.

Renny Osuna, 2-for-4, had a solo home run, his first of the season, and a double. Joey Butler had a homer and 3RBIs, on 4 AB.

The Blaze begin a four game series at the Stockton Ports on May 1. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Game two of the series against the Nuts was cancelled due to a power outage and will be continued on May 14th during a doubleheader at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

What's Burning: LHP Tim Murphy's 8 strikeouts are a career high...this season's 6-14 start is the worst in Blaze franchise history since 1996.