June 20, 2013
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Series Even After Back-And-Forth Game

June 30, 2012 - California League (CalL) Lancaster JetHawks

LANCASTER, CA - In a game that lasted over three hours and featured five lead changes, the JetHawks came up just short dropping an 8-7 decision to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on Friday night at The Hangar.

The Quakes scored three unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning against reliever Patrick Urckfitz (0-2) to grab an 8-6 lead. Rafael Valenzuela homered in the bottom of the inning, his second of the season, but Jonathan Meyer struck out with two on and two out in the eighth and Eric Eadington retired the side in order for his 11th save in the ninth.

Urckfitz hit Scott Wingo to begin the seventh and then, on a Leon Landry bunt attempt, threw the ball low to first for an error. Alexis Aguilar followed with a walk and C.J. Retherford tied the game up with a sacrifice fly. After Urckfitz struck out Austin Gallagher for the second out, Jonathan Garcia doubled home Landry and Aguilar to put the Quakes up by two.

The three run followed a wild bottom of the sixth in which the JetHawks had put up three runs to take a one run lead. Valenzuela and Ben Orloff led off with singles against reliever Ryan O'Sullivan (1-0). With one out and runners at the corners, Chris Epps grounded a tailor-made double play ball to the first baseman Chris Jacobs whose throw to second was dropped by shortstop Casio Grider allowing a run to score.

After a strikeout, Telvin Nash doubled down the left field line to score Orloff and put runners at second and third. Meyer followed with a base hit to left field scoring Epps. Nash was waved around third but the throw from left field beat him at the plate. Nash catapulted himself at the catcher Chris O'Brien who ducked out of the way while making the tag causing Nash to flip over him. After the play, the two teams exchanged words from their dugouts and warnings were issued to both dugouts. The benches did not clear.

Nash would later leave the game with a nose contusion after being hit by a foul ball in the dugout. He was taken to the hospital and his status is day-to-day.

O'Brien had given the Quakes the lead in the top of the sixth with a three run home run off start David Martinez. The catcher's fourth homer of the year went just inside the foul pole down the right field line. Only two of the three runs were earned. Gallagher reached base to start the rally after his fly ball Meyer collided with Epps glove on a fly ball to left.

Martinez, who started the game with three scoreless innings, allowed five runs - four earned - in six innings with three strikeouts and no walks.

Reliever Jordan Roberts started for the Quakes after scheduled starter Garett Gould was scratched unspecified reasons an hour before the game. Roberts allowed one run in three innings before giving way to the bullpen.

The JetHawks (2-7, 39-40) will take on the Quakes (3-6, 40-39) in the rubber game of the series on Saturday night at The Hangar. Zach Grimmett (2-5, 7.76) will start against Angel Sanchez (6-3, 4.86). First pitch is at 7:00 pm. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a JetHawks Stars & Stripes Jersey presented by R. Rex Parris Law Firm.

Great JetHawks ticket packages and single game tickets are on sale now. Special group discounts are also available. For more information please visit www.jethawks.com or call the JetHawks box office at (661) 726-5400.

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California League Stories from June 30, 2012


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