Austin\'s Walk-Off Blast Propels JetHawks To Series Victory
August 12, 2010 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
Jay Austin smacked a two-run walk-off home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the JetHawks an 11-9 victory over San Jose at Clear Channel Stadium Wednesday. It was the first walk-off home run for Austin in his young professional career. San Jose seized control of the game early by scoring seven runs off JetHawks starter Leandro Cespedes in the first two innings. Jose Flores belted a grand slam to cap the Giants' four-run first inning. The Giants tacked on three more runs in the second before Cespedes was removed from the contest with one out in the frame.
Quality relief pitching from Kyle Godfrey, Jose Trinidad and Brian Wabick allowed the JetHawks to chip away at the deficit. The trio of Lancaster relievers combined to toss five and 2/3 scoreless innings.
Meanwhile, Lancaster scored two runs in the fourth, two more in the fifth and grabbed the lead with a four-run frame in the bottom of the sixth. Austin hit a two-run double in the sixth to pull the JetHawks within a run. Jonathan Villar delivered an RBI single that plated Austin with the tying run. Villar raced home on a wild pitch later in the inning to give Lancaster an 8-7 lead.
After the two teams traded runs in the eighth, San Jose scored a run off JetHawks closer David Berner (5-5) in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 9-9.
After Giants reliever Edwin Quirarte (2-8) retired the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth, Brandon Wikoff singled. Wikoff was lifted for pinch-runner Jose Altuve and Austin hit a 3-2 pitch that landed over the right field wall, just beyond the reach of San Jose's James Simmons.
With the win, the JetHawks improved to 22-24 in the second half and 45-71 overall. The Giants fell to 20-26 in the second half and 65-51 overall. The JetHawks will return to action Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against Inland Empire at Clear Channel Stadium. Lancaster will start right-hander Ross Seaton (6-10, 5.98 ERA). The 66ers are expected to counter with right-hander Bobby Blevins (1-6, 6.18 ERA). First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. Tune in for all the live action beginning with the JetHawks Pre-Game Show at 6:45 p.m. on www.jethawks.com/csn and News Talk 1380-AM.
The 2010 season marks the 15th anniversary of professional baseball in the Antelope Valley, and since its inaugural game in1996, The Hangar has produced more than 90 Major Leaguers and inducted 25 members into The JetHawks Hall of Fame. Don't miss out on your chance to be a part of 15 years of Hangar Heroes in 2010.
California League Stories from August 12, 2010
- San Francisco Giant Jeremy Affeldt Scheduled to Rehab in San Jose Friday - San Jose Giants
- Lancaster Drops Giants With Walk-Off Home Run - San Jose Giants
- Austin's Walk-Off Blast Propels JetHawks To Series Victory - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Cruise to 7-1 Win Over Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Mavs Defeat Bakersfield 7-3 - High Desert Mavericks
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