Comeback Falls Short against Inland Empire
May 24, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, Calif. - Three-run efforts in the sixth and eighth innings were not enough to overcome a nine-run deficit, as the JetHawks fell to the Inland Empire 66ers, 9-6, on Saturday night at The Hangar.
Trailing 9-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, Lancaster (21-22) plated three runs against 66ers reliever Cole Swanson. A.J.
Reed began the rally by reaching second on a dropped fly ball by left fielder Tyler Palmer. Jack Mayfield drove Reed home with a double, and after Mayfield advanced to third on a wild pitch, Ronnie Mitchell followed with a sacrifice fly to right field. James Ramsay then doubled and scored on a Marc Wik double.
Wik and Ramsay contributed two hits each, with the latter extending his hitting streak to 12 games on a second-inning single.
The JetHawks put two men on base in the eighth inning via a one-out walk and a fielding error. Brett Phillips, Alfredo Gonzalez and Danry Vasquez then hit three consecutive RBI singles against 66ers reliever Alex Blackford to cut the deficit to three runs.
But Geoff Broussard pitched a perfect ninth for the 66ers, recording the save and handing the JetHawks their second loss of the series.
Adrian Houser (0-2) struck out five and walked only one through 4.2 innings for the JetHawks, but allowed the 66ers (22- 19) four runs on eight hits, including a two-run homer by Eric Aguilera in the third inning. Tyler Brunnemann entered in relief and allowed a run-scoring double and a two-run homer before escaping the inning with the 66ers leading 6-0.
Taking over in the sixth inning, tandem starter Troy Scribner struggled, allowing a Mike Fish RBI single and a two-run home run by Michael Snyder. After the sixth, however, Scribner recovered to pitch 2.1 scoreless innings before exiting in the ninth.
Starting pitcher Chris Ellis (3-4) tossed five scoreless innings for Inland Empire. The right-hander struck out five and walked four, but allowed just two hits, both singles.
The JetHawks will face the 66ers in the third game of the series Sunday at The Hangar. Edison Frias (5-2, 3.48) will start for Lancaster, and Inland Empire will send Harrison Cooney (1-2, 4.46) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Don't miss a moment of exciting JetHawks action as they look to defend their 2014 California League title. Season tickets and other great ticket packages are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400, or visit jethawks.com.
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