JetHawks Ride Ninth Inning Magic Again To Third Straight Win
Published on June 2, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
(LANCASTER, CA) - For the second straight night, the Lancaster JetHawks mounted an impressive comeback against the stout Modesto bullpen and tied the game in the eighth inning. And for the second straight night, the JetHawks won it in the ninth, when Jon Gaston hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Gabriel Suarez for a 4-3 victory. Gaston's winner continued the JetHawks positive momentum and brought the JetHawks a couple of firsts on the season: consecutive walkoff wins, and the club's first three-game winning streak of the 2009 season.
The fans at the Hangar would not have enjoyed Gaston's heroics were it not for some clutch hitting in the eighth. After Jason Castro led off the frame with a walk, Gaston doubled to left field. Koby Clemens hit a sacrifice fly to deep right field to score Castro, and after David Flores hit a hard groundout to third base, last night's hero Marcos Cabral drove in the tying run with an RBI single to right field.
Nor would the JetHawks have been in the position to win it late were it not for a solid outing from starter Jack Tilghman, and great relief work from Phillip Rummel and Erick Abreu. Tilgman recorded his longest outing of the year, going five innings and allowing two earned runs on just three hits. He also struck out a career-high six. Rummel gave up one run in two innings, and Abreu pitched the final two scoreless innings.
The Modesto bullpen, which has been the Nuts' strength all season, surrendered a lead to the JetHawks for the second straight night. Joey Williamson, who was a perfect 3-0 with an ERA of 0.92 in eight appearances in May, surrendered the two runs in the eighth. In the fifth, Williamson worked out of a bases loaded, no-out jam to preserve a 2-1 lead.
The winning fly ball capped quite a day for Gaston, who earlier in the afternoon was named California League hitter of the week for the second time this season.
The JetHawks will aim for their first four-game winning streak of the season tomorrow. David Duncan (0-8, 8.48) will take the ball for Lancaster, while Kenny Durst (1-3, 4.84) will climb the hill for the Nuts. Game time is 7:00 PM, and the JetHawks pregame show can be heard at 6:45 PM on Magic 1340 and online at jethawks.com.
Great ticket packages, including season tickets and flexible mini-plans, are on sale now for the 2009 season and may be ordered by calling (661) 726-5400. For more information, please visit the JetHawks official website at www.JetHawks.com.
California League Stories from June 2, 2009
- Second Place Nuts Set to Host Four Game Series Against First Place Visalia - Modesto Nuts
- JetHawks and Kraft Team Up for Ticket Offer - Lancaster JetHawks
- Rawhide Hold 4th Annual Dairy Day Player Cow-Milking Contest - Visalia Rawhide
- Got Milk? - Visalia Rawhide
- Quakes To Host Writer's Cafe on June 19th - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Ballpark Digest Gives High Praise to New-Look Rec Park - Visalia Rawhide
- JetHawks Ride Ninth Inning Magic Again To Third Straight Win - Lancaster JetHawks
- Craig Clark Ties California League Consecutive Strikeout Record In Giants 6-1 Win - San Jose Giants
- 66ers Hit Double Digits Again in 11-1 Romp of Mavericks - Inland Empire 66ers
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