Jhoulys Chacin Tosses Eight Scoreless Innings as Modesto Nuts Blank Stockton Ports 3-0 - Advanced A, California League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com – STOCKTON, CA- Prior to Tuesday’s contest, most people were trying to figure out how to pronounce the first name of Modesto Nuts starter Jhoulys Chacin (1-0). If Chacin keeps pitching the way he did in his Cal-League debut, everyone will learn very quickly. Chacin tossed eight scoreless innings in his first outing since being promoted from Low-A Asheville and shut down the Stockton Ports offense, helping the Nuts to a 3-0 win--their first at Banner Island Ballpark since Opening Day (April 3).

Through the first three innings, the story was Ports starter Henry Rodriguez. Rodriguez had his best outing of the season, striking out five of the first six batters he faced and seven through the first three frames. The only two baserunners in the first three innings reached on errors by third baseman Chris Carter and second baseman Frank Martinez.

Rodriguez was barely in a jam all night, and tossed 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit--a single to Nelson Robledo in the fifth--and striking out a season-high 11.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Ports offense had a small window of opportunity in the second inning. Chacin walked Carter to begin the inning and with one out, Mike Massaro laid down a bunt single to put runners at first and second with one out. Chacin would get Matt Sulentic to line out to second and Jermaine Mitchell to fly to left to end the inning, beginning a string of 16 in a row retired by the right-hander.

Rodriguez hit his pitch count with one out in the sixth and gave way to Jose Rojas (0-2). Rojas got the final two outs in the sixth, and then ran into trouble in the seventh, issuing back-to-back walks to Mike McKenry and Victor Ferrante. Nick Haley followed with a two-run triple down the right field line, giving the Nuts a 2-0 lead. Haley would score two batters later on a double play ball from Robledo.

Rojas took the loss, allowing all three runs in his 1.2 innings of work while striking out two.

Chacin worked through the eighth without being in a jam at any point. He earned the win after going eight scoreless frames, scattering five hits while striking out eight.

Nuts closer Andrew Johnston (SV, 16) tossed a perfect ninth to earn his league-leading 16th save of the season.

If you like the daily news of the Raw Feed, SUBSCRIBE TODAY to the nation's only alternative professional sports magazine, SZ, with original features and great action photography in baseball, hockey, basketball, and football. Just $11.99 per year for an e-zine like youʼve never seen!