CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Abad Offers Relief as JetHawks Take Series

Published on June 18, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


LANCASTER, Calif. - After the 66ers chased Jack Tilghman in the third inning, JetHawks reliever Fernando Abad came on and retired the final 13 batters he faced as Lancaster took the series with a 7-5 win Wednesday night.

Abad was unexpectedly thrown into a 6-4 ballgame with two outs in the fourth inning when Jordan Powell had to leave with an undisclosed injury. Abad retired 16 of the 17 batters he faced, his only blemish a solo home run from Scott Van Slyke that pulled Inland Empire within a run in the fifth.

The JetHawks struck for three runs in the first two innings off Chris Withrow. A two-run double from T.J. Steele and an RBI base hit from Matt Weston gave Lancaster a 3-1 lead in the first.

Withrow induced a double play groundout in the second but couldn't close out the inning. He walked Gabriel Suarez to put runners on the corners and surrendered a two-run triple to Jon Gaston, who leads the minor leagues with 46 extra-base hits. Steele followed with an RBI single to cap the three-run rally.

The 66ers knocked Tilghman out of the game in the third when Steven Caseres ripped a single to right, putting runners on the corners with a run already in. Powell limited the damage to just one more run on Alex Garabedian's RBI groundout.

Withrow (5-5) had his second poor start at Clear Channel Stadium this season, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts in 4 innings.

Abad (2-2) allowed just 1 run on 1 hit with no walks and 4 strikouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Pedro Baez and Caseres were the only 66ers with two hits.

The 66ers (29-37) close out the first half of the season with a four-game homestand with the High Desert Mavericks starting Thursday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Tim Sexton (1-8, 3.15) will make his final start before the All-Star game while J.C. Ramirez (4-2, 4.41) takes the hill for the Mavericks. It is 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 18, 2009


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