JetHawks Drop 14-Inning Battle
Published on June 25, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LAKE ELSINORE, CA - Erik Castro hit a solo home run and Jonathan Meyer knocked in two runs with a single in the 12th inning but the JetHawks couldn't hold on to two leads and lost, 4-3, in 14 innings against the Lake Elsinore Storm at The Diamond on Sunday night.
With the score tied, 3-3, in the bottom of the 14th, Casey McElroy singled to right field to score Justin Miller from third base and end the game. Miller had led off the inning with a triple to right field against reliever Kirk Clark (3-3). With the potential winning run just 90-feet away, Clark retired Tommy Medica and Rymer Liriano on shallow fly balls, holding Miller at third. McElroy followed by hitting the first pitch through the right side of the infield for the game winner.
The JetHawks had taken a 3-1 lead in the 12th inning. Castro and Telvin Nash led off the inning with singles. Castro took third on Nash's single and Nash advanced to second on the throw to third. Meyer knocked base-hit to left field to score them both and put Lancaster in position to win.
Andrew Robinson struggled for the second straight night in a save opportunity. After giving up two runs in the bottom of the ninth on Saturday night, the right-hander was charged with two runs, the game-tying runs, in the bottom of the 12th.
Rico Noel led off with a walk and Miller singled to center to put two runners on for Medica. Medica hit a deep line drive down the left field line that bounced in fair and hopped over the fence, driving in Noel but forcing Miller to stop at third.
After Robinson loaded the bases with a two-out intentional walk to McElroy, Rodney Linares summoned Clark from the bullpen to try and escape the jam. Eddy Rodriguez hit a ground ball down the third base line and Meyer made a diving stop but threw low to first. Castro was unable to handle the hop and Miller scored to tie the game.
The game had started in a fierce pitchers duel between David Martinez and Matt Jackson. Neither pitcher allowed a base runner through the first three innings and the JetHawks didn't pick their first hit until the fifth inning.
After Jackson was pulled before the sixth inning, Castro greeted his replacement Chris Franklin with a home run to right center field to put the JetHawks up 1-0.
Martinez, who had faced the minimum 21 batters through seven innings, allowed a home run to Medica in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game.
Ryan Quigley tossed 3 1/3 perfect innings in relief for the Storm and Yefri Carvajal (1-1) picked up the victory. The loss finished off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Storm and dropped the JetHawks record to 0-11 in Lake Elsinore this season.
The JetHawks return home on Monday night to face the Modesto Nuts in the first of a three game series. Zach Grimmett will face off against Christian Bergman.
Great JetHawks ticket packages and single game tickets are on sale now. Special group discounts are also available. For more information please visit www.jethawks.com or call the JetHawks box office at (661) 726-5400.
California League Stories from June 25, 2012
- Blaze Drop Close One in Extras, 5-4 - Bakersfield Blaze
- California League Pitcher of the Week Returns to 66ers - Inland Empire 66ers
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Six-Game Homestand Begins Tonight against Stockton - San Jose Giants
- First Half Champ Crowned Tonight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- JetHawks Drop 14-Inning Battle - Lancaster JetHawks
- The Storm Walking... Walking-Off That Is - Lake Elsinore Storm
- Bako Scores Nine in the Ninth in 14-9 Victory - Bakersfield Blaze
- 66ers Dominate High Desert with a Dozen Run Day - Inland Empire 66ers
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