The Modesto Nuts are doing everything they can to keep their playoff hopes alive, including their best offensive onslaught of the season. The Nuts (31-33; 57-77) have struggled all year on offense, averaging a league-low 4.12 runs per game with a .244 team batting average headed into Tuesday’s game. Nine innings later Modesto had sent 51 batters to the plate, amassing a season-high 23 hits on their way to a 12-2 victory over Lake Elsinore. Every batter (save for Forrest Wall) had at least two hits, but the team had just two extra-base hits and one walk.
That was plenty for Helmis Rodriguez last night. After the Nuts scored four runs in the top of the first Rodriguez (4-9, 3.41 ERA) made quick work of the Storm. He lasted seven innings allowing five hits and two walks against six strikeouts. Rodriguez has had a lot of success over his last three starts, going at least seven innings in each (22 IP, 14 H, 3 R/ER, 5 BB, 15 K).
After Tuesday night’s win, the Nuts are four games out of a playoff spot with six games to play and, along with the Albuquerque Isotopes (51⁄2 games out with seven to play) and Grand Junction Rockies (1⁄2 game up with nine to play) , are holding onto slim playoff hopes.
★ ★ ★
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 2, Salt Lake Bees 3
Bees Sting Isotopes with 3-2 Win | Albuquerque Isotopes News
Raimel Tapia (No. 4 PuRP): 0-for-4
Tom Murphy (No. 15 PuRP): 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
Jordan Patterson (No. 16 PuRP): 0-for-4
Harrison Musgrave (No. 25 PuRP): 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, BB, 3 K
★ ★ ★
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 0, Richmond Flying Squirrels 11
Yard Goats Headlines | Hartford Yard Goats News
Ryan McMahon (No. 6 PuRP): 0-for-4
Omar Carrizales (No. 31 PuRP): 2-for-4
Zach Jemiola: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
★ ★ ★
High-A: Modesto Nuts 12, Lake Elsinore 2
Hit Parade for Helmis Rodriguez Ends in 12-2 Victory | Modesto Nuts News
Forrest Wall (No. 13 PuRP): 1-for-5, 2 R, RBI
Dom Nunez (No. 14 PuRP): 3-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI
Shane Hoelscher: 4-for-6, R, 2B, 3 RBI
Josh Fuentes: 3-for-6, 2 R, RBI
Wes Rogers: 3-for-6, 3 R
Helmis Rodriguez: 7 IP, 5 H, 0 4/ER, 2 BB, 6 K
★ ★ ★
Low-A: Asheville Tourists 2, Hickory Crawdads 6
George's Three-Hit Night not enough as Tourists Fall 6-2 | Asheville Tourists News
Brendan Rodgers (No. 3 PuRP): 0-for-2
Brian Mundell (No. 32 PuRP): 2-for-4, R, 2B
Max George: 3-for-4, R, 2 2B
Javier Palacios: 3 IP, 8 H, 5 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K
★ ★ ★
Short Season-A: Boise Hawks 1, Everett Aqua Sox 17
AquaSox Down Hawks | Boise Hawks News
Garrett Hampson (No. 35 PuRP): 1-for-4
Robert Tyler (No. 19 PuRP):
Willie Abreu (6th round, 2016): 0-for-4
Luis Castro: 1-for-4, R, 2B
Jacob Bosiokovic: 1-for-4
Anthony Brito: 2-for-4, RBI
Rico Garcia: 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, K
★ ★ ★
Rookie: Grand Junction Rockies 9, Orem Owlz 5
Rockies rally in seventh, end losing skid | Grand Junction Rockies News
Pedro Gonzalez (No. 21 PuRP): 2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI
Manuel Melendez: 2-for-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SB
Jose Gomez: 3-for-3, R, 2B, 2 BB
Luis Guzman: 5 1⁄3 IP, 8 H, 4 R/ER, 2 BB, K
★ ★ ★
Dominican Summer League: DSL Rockies 0, DSL Mariners1 1, F/13
DSL Rockies swept out of playoffs by DSL Mariners 1
Daniel Montano (No. 24 PuRP): 0-for-5
Enrique Saldana: 1-for-4
Gabriel Estrada: 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, K
★ ★ ★
Wednesday Probables
Triple-A Albuquerque: Eddie Butler (7-2, 4.64 ERA) @ Salt Lake (LAA), 5:05 p.m. MT (Game 1)
Christian Bergmnn (3-3, 3.66 ERA) @ Salt Lake (LAA), TBD (Game 2)
Double-A Hartford: Sam Howard (No. 23 PuRP, 5-6, 4.48 ERA) @ Richmond (SFG), 5:05 p.m. MT
High-A Modesto: Jake Wynkoop (7-2, 2.29 ERA) @ Lake Elsinore (SDP), 7:00 p.m. MT
Low-A Asheville: Drasen Johnson (6-4, 4.30 ERA) vs. Hickory (TEX), 5:05 p.m. MT
Short Season-A Boise: Erick Julio (4-5, 3.92 ERA) vs. Everett Aquasox (SEA), 7:15 p.m. MT
Rookie Level Grand Junction: Alejandro Requnena (2-5, 4.98 ERA) vs. Orem (LAA), 7:05 p.m. MT