MODESTO, CA (September 7th, 2012) -- Behind a lights-out performance from Tyler Matzek, Modesto shutout the Giants 2-0 on Friday night at John Thurman Field to advance to the North Division Finals.

In a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Mini-Series, Matzek rose to the occasion and dominated San Jose, limiting the Giants to five scattered singles in 7 1/3 scoreless innings. He issued a lead-off walk to Jarrett Parker to open the eighth, but retired Skyler Stromsmoe on a flyball to left on the next pitch to record his final out of the night. Isaiah Froneberger came in from the bullpen, and induced an inning-ending double play against Shawn Payne.

Froneberger returned to start the ninth inning and retired Carter Jurica and Joe Panik before giving way to Adam Jorgenson. Modesto's closer came on to face Adam Duvall and got him to line-out to right-fielder Juan Crousset to seal Modesto's series clinching victory.

The Nuts will move on to face the Bakersfield Blaze in the best-of-five North Division Finals, which begins on Saturday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

For the first time in the series, Modesto opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single from Jared Clark. Joey Wong drove in Dallas Tarleton with a single in the fourth against Giants starter Taylor Rogers to put the Nuts in front 2-0.

That would prove to be enough for Matzek, who pounded the strike zone and efficiently mowed down the Giants, needing only 90 pitches to go through the game. The lefty led the Cal League with 95 walks in the regular season, but did not issue a free pass until he put Parker aboard in the eighth. San Jose didn't get a man in scoring position until the sixth when they put runners at first and second, but Matzek retired Duvall to get of out of the inning. He sent the Giants down in order in the seventh, including two batters via strikeout.

In his seventh start of the season against San Jose, Matzek (1-0) finally picked up his first win. Rogers (1-0) battled through five innings, working out of jams in the first and fourth to limit the damage, but was charged with the loss.

San Jose's bullpen kept the Nuts off the board the rest of the way, allowing only one baserunner on a walk by Cristhian Adames in the seventh.

The two teams combined for 11 singles in the game. Neither club tallied an extra-base hit.

Modesto's quest for their first Cal League Title since becoming a Rockies affiliate in 2005 will continue tomorrow night in Bakersfield. The Blaze will host Games 1 and 2 this weekend, with Modesto hosting Games 3, 4, and 5 (if necessary) Monday through Wednesday at John Thurman Field.

Bakersfield (72-68) earned a first-round bye after winning the first-half, but Modesto (73-67) has home-field advantage due to a better overall record this season. First pitch in Game 1 of the North Division Finals is set for 7:15 p.m. You can listen to all of the action online at ModestoNuts.com, with Alex Margulies providing the call.