JetHawks Weather Early Storm, Win 9-7
Published on July 23, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
(LANCASTER, CA) - In the thick of a stretch against teams with which they have struggled in the 2009 season, the first few innings of Wednesday night's game evoked painful memories. The Lake Elsinore Storm, who had won eight of the first twelve meetings against the JetHawks, jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning. But the JetHawks were not interested in repeating history and exploded for eight runs in the next two innings, including six in the fifth. Fernando Abad took care of the rest. He struck out a career best eight batters in three and a third innings and got his second save to finish an impressive victory. With the win, Lancaster moves a game and a half out of first place in the second half standings.
The Storm used a JetHawks error in the second inning (a ball thrown to first was lost in the sun) and a pair of walks to lead to three runs. They added another in the fourth on yet another error at second base by Lancaster. Phil Rummel, the starter would last through the fifth for the first time all season and only two of his four runs yielded were earned. He gave up six hits, struck out two and walked two.
The JetHawks really blew the game open in the fifth. Jon Fixler and Craig Corrado singled to open the inning; on Corrado's hard groundball single to second base, Storm starter Jeremy Hefner twisted his ankle covering first base. After Hefner threw three balls to J.B. Shuck, he was lifted from the game in favor of Allen Harrington. Shuck then walked before Marcos Cabral singled in Fixler and loaded the bases. Job Gaston then hit a sacrifice fly to left, and Matt Weston followed with a single to left. Shuck was thrown out by Danny Payne, who fielded the Weston base hit. Koby Clemens then singled home Cabral, Barnes brought Weston home with a base hit, and the newest JetHawk Ebert Rosario doubled in two runs with his first hit with the club.
Brandon Barnes hit a massive home run in the seventh but the Storm answered back with a Beamer Weems double to score Brad Chalk in the eighth. Abad then had to protect a 2-run lead in the ninth. He did so with a 1-2-3 inning, including two more of his eight punchouts.
The JetHawks will look to make it three in a row tomorrow when they host Lake Elsinore at 7:00 PM. It is Country Night at the yard and the hot country band Motherlode will be playing a concert at 6:00 PM. It is also a Taste of the Town, in which the Antelope Valley's finest restaurants will be on hand to sample their menus to fans. Chris Hicks makes his long awaited return to the hill for Lancaster and will face off against Nick Schmidt. The radio broadcast can be heard on Magic 1340 AM and online at www.JetHawks.com beginning at 6:45 PM. Great ticket packages, including season tickets and flexible mini-plans, are on sale now for the 2009 season and may be ordered by calling (661) 726-5400. For more information, please visit the JetHawks official website at www.JetHawks.com.
California League Stories from July 23, 2009
- Win Streaks Extended With 7-1 Triumph Over Visalia - San Jose Giants
- Nuts Power Past Ports, 4-1 - Stockton Ports
- JetHawks Weather Early Storm, Win 9-7 - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Slam 66ers 6-2 - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Thorne Leads Quakes Past 66ers - Inland Empire 66ers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
