66ers lose 8th straight

The Sixers knew it would be tough without highly touted third baseman Pedro Baez, who is down with an injury and with Steven Johnson promoted, then traded, and a pitching staff that is in disarray.

But this is ridiculous. The Sixers lost their season-high eighth straight game on Monday, losing to Modesto 3-1 at John Thurman Field. The Sixers (50-65 overall, 18-27 second half) dropped 2 1/2 games behind the idle Quakes (52-62, 22-22) in the race for the South Division's final playoff spot. The Sixers have scored three runs or less in seven games during the losing streak and only scored four in the other game.

Sixers starter Justin Miller (0-2) pitched much better than in his first start with the team, allowing only one earned run on five hits in five innings. Only one of Modesto's three runs was earned, thanks to errors by shortstop Christian Lara and second baseman Elian Herrera.

Modesto starter Christian Friedrich (3-0), who has now allowed only one earned run in his last five Cal League starts, allowed one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings this time. Modesto all-star closer Craig Baker struck out all three batters in the ninth, earning his league-leading 30th save.

Making his 66ers debut Monday was 25-year-old Andres Perez, apparently signed by the Dodgers from Newark of the independent Atlantic League. Perez, who can play the infield and the outfield, was batting .306 with 17 home runs and 54 RBIs with Newark. Perez played 2008 with the Yankees' high Single-A Tampa team, batting .269 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs in 86 games. He had one of the Sixers' four hits on Monday and added a stolen base.