CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

66ers Fly Past JetHawks with 10-5 Win

Published on June 17, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


LANCASTER, Calif. - The 66ers slugged three home runs and pounded out 17 hits as they rolled past the JetHawks, 10-5, Tuesday night at Clear Channel Stadium.

Dodgers left-handed reliever Will Ohman had a strikeout in a perfect first inning for his rehab start before giving way to Steven Johnson. Inland Empire provided plenty of run support for the righthander, matching a season-high with eight extra base hits and using a pair of four-run innings to complete the onslaught.

After a first inning run and Trayvon Robinson's solo homer in the fourth, the 66ers trailed 4-2 in the sixth inning and waited for two outs before rallying off Chris Hicks for a 6-4 lead. Scott Van Slyke hit his ninth homer of the season- a soaring two-run shot over the video board in left field- to tie the game at four. Jaime Ortiz then followed with a solo shot to right for the first back-to-back home runs for Inland Empire this season.

In the seventh, the 66ers sent ten batters to the plate and clubbed six hits, including triples by Adolfo Gonzalez and Pedro Baez, to rally for four more runs.

Johnson (5-4) allowed the first four batters to reach base in the fourth before settling down to limit the damage to just three runs. He departed with his fifth win after working 6 1/3 innings while allowing 5 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks (both in the fourth) with 3 strikeouts.

The Sixers finally figured out Hicks, the Lancaster starter who was 3-0 against Inland Empire on the season. Hicks (5-4) surrendered 6 runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings with no walks and 3 strikeouts.

Every 66er in the lineup recorded at least one hit, with Preston Mattingly and Christian Lara leading the way with three hits apiece. Gonzalez, Robinson, Caseres and Ortiz also chipped in with two hits each.

The Sixers have hit six home runs in the series and 69 on the season through 65 games.

Jon Gaston went 3-for-5 with a double and his second homer in the series and league leading 17th of the season.

The series rubber game is Wednesday at 7 p.m. with RHP Chris Withrow (5-4, 4.44) on the hill for the 66ers (29-36) while the JetHawks (23-42) send RHP Jack Tilghman (0-2, 4.12) to the mound. The 66ers return home Thursday, June 18 at 7:05 p.m. for Thirsty Thursday, with $1 beers and $1 sodas. For tickets or more information visit www.66ers.com, the 66ers box office at 280 South E Street in San Bernardino, or call (909) 888-9922.

Check out the Inland Empire 66ers Statistics

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California League Stories from June 17, 2009


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