'Hawks Hold on with Help from Justo
May 11, 2019 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
MODESTO, Calif. - With the tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the ninth, JetHawks closer Salvador Justo coaxed Matt Sanders into a game-ending double play to preserve a 5-4 win on Friday night at John Thurman Field.
The win was Lancaster's 20th in the club's last 29 games and brought them within a game of first-place Rancho Cucamonga.
Modesto (16-19) put the tying run at second base with less than two outs in both the eighth and ninth innings, but Justo, who entered with two outs in the eighth inning, would strand the runners each time to earn his third save.
The JetHawks (20-15), who led 4-1 until Modesto tied it in the bottom of the seventh, regained the lead in the top of the eighth. Todd Czinege's bases-loaded grounder to second base was able to score Ryan Vilade from third base.
Run-scoring doubles from Czinege and Brian Golden in the third and fourth innings helped the JetHawks to their early advantage.
Golden finished 2-for-3 to improve his batting average in Friday games to .563 (9-for-16) with four doubles, two home runs and nine RBI.
Starter Matt Dennis left the game in line for a win after allowing just two runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out and five and walked only one.
The series continues on Saturday evening. Antonio Santos will start opposite reigning Cal League Player of the Month Ljay Newsome. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the California League message board...
California League Stories from May 11, 2019
- Lancaster wins fifth in-a-row behind solid Santos - Lancaster JetHawks
- Late 66ers Rally Dooms Ports in 4-2 Loss - Stockton Ports
- Lake Elsinore Uses Late Rally to Win Close Game - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Ports Drop Fourth Straight, Fall to 66ers 7-2 - Stockton Ports
- Liberato Records Four Hits in 5-4 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- 'Hawks Hold on with Help from Justo - Lancaster JetHawks
- Quakes Drop Second Straight, Home Saturday for Fireworks - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
