Late Lead Lost on Ninth-Inning Homer
July 2, 2015 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, Calif. - The JetHawks turned their first triple play since 2012 early in the game, but a ninth-inning home run by Eric Aguilera gave the Inland Empire 66ers an 8-7 win on Wednesday night at The Hangar.
With the bases loaded in the top of the second inning, Angel Rosa hit a line drive to Reed at first base. After catching the ball, Reed stepped on first to erase Stephen McGee and threw to Jack Mayfield covering second base to retire Caleb Adams. The triple play was the first turned by Lancaster since August 4, 2012 against High Desert. Reed later opened the bottom of the inning with his 20th home run of the season.
Holding a 7-6 lead in the top of the ninth, JetHawks reliever Aaron Greenwood allowed a leadoff double to Tyler Palmer. Bo Way moved Palmer to third with a sacrifice bunt, and Aguilera put the 66ers (37-38) back in the lead with a two-run homer to right field off new reliever Tyler Brunnemann (3-1).
Geoff Broussard pitched a perfect ninth inning to give Lancaster its third straight loss. Brian Loconsole (4-1) received the win for Inland Empire, despite yielding two runs on two hits in just 1.1 innings.
After trailing by one run, the JetHawks had taken the lead in the bottom of the eighth. J.D. Davis led off the inning with a double, and Chase McDonald walked. A Brian Holberton sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, and Jose Fernandez tied the game with a RBI-groundout to second. Marc Wik then gave Lancaster a 7-6 lead with a base hit to left field.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the JetHawks rallied for three runs against 66ers reliever Ronnie Muck. Holberton and Fernandez opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and both advanced one base on a wild pitch. Wik plated Holberton with a sacrifice fly, and James Ramsay added a RBI-single to bring Lancaster within two runs. Mayfield then hit a RBI-double off the left-field wall, scoring Ramsay and cutting the deficit to one run.
Holberton led the JetHawks by going 2-for-3 with a run batted in and one run scored, and also threw out three runners attempting to steal second base.
The series continues on Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Daniel Mengden (2-0, 5.58) will pitch for the JetHawks, and Jordan Kipper (3-5, 4.04) will start for the 66ers. The JetHawks will host Thirsty Thursday, as fans can enjoy two-dollar hot dogs, two-dollar peanuts, two-dollar sodas and two-dollar 12-oz. select domestic draft beers.
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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California League Stories from July 2, 2015
- San Jose Giants Homestand Preview: July 4 - July 10 - San Jose Giants
- Mavericks Host Independence Fireworks at Heritage Field - High Desert Mavericks
- Ports Even Series with 6-3 Win over Giants - Stockton Ports
- Ports Top Giants to Even Series - San Jose Giants
- Musgrave Deals in 8-1 Thwacking of the Blaze - Modesto Nuts
- Late Lead Lost on Ninth-Inning Homer - Lancaster JetHawks
- Blaze Left Twisted by Nuts, 8-1 - Bakersfield Blaze
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