Lancaster 9, Visalia 6
July 8, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, Calif. - Jamie Ritchie hit a three-run homer in the second inning and the JetHawks staved off a late Visalia Rawhide rally to hang on for a series-clinching 9-6 win on Thursday night at The Hangar.
Rawhide starter Brad Keller (6-6) retired the first four batters he faced, but ran into trouble with one out in the second. Keach Ballard drew and walk and Drew Ferguson followed with a single, before Ritchie blasted his fifth home run of the season over the left field fence to put the JetHawks in front, 3-0.
After the Rawhide picked up a single run in the top of the third, Lancaster answered with a pair in the bottom half on a Ballard two-run single. He now has 13 RBI in his first 11 games with the JetHawks.
The JetHawks made it 8-1 with a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Ferguson drove in the first of his two runs in the game with a sacrifice fly. Bobby Boyd and Jason Martin delivered back-to-back RBI singles.
For a second straight night, the Rawhide mounted a late comeback but could not get over the hump. Victor Reyes, Robelys Reyes, and Domingo Leyba came through with three RBI singles in a row to knock JetHawks starter Trent Thornton (5-4) from the game in the seventh. Tyler Baker brought Visalia within a pair with a two-run double in the eighth. That's as close as the Rawhide would get.
Thornton started strong, retiring the first seven batters he faced. He threw just 70 pitches through the first six innings, 50 for strikes. He struck out six in 6.2 innings and earned the win. The right-hander allowed four runs on nine hits and walked just one.
Ryan Deemes came on with one out and the tying runs in scoring position in the eighth inning and stranded both runners on base. He retired all five hitters he faced to pick up his fourth save in as many opportunities.
Jason Martin led the JetHawks 13-hit attack with a 3-for-5 performance. Every JetHawks starter recorded at least one hit. Ritchie and Mizell each had two.
Lancaster took three out of four games from the Rawhide, the team with the best record in the California League. Visalia won the season series, 7-4.
The JetHawks travel to San Bernardino on Friday night to open a four-game series against the Inland Empire 66ers at San Manuel Stadium. Rogelio Armenteros (4-2) will start for Lancaster against Jared Ruxer (0-0). First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
The JetHawks are celebrating their 20th anniversary season in Lancaster. Great ticket packages and group events are on sale now at jethawks.com or by calling (661) 726-5400.
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California League Stories from July 8, 2016
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- Lancaster 9, Visalia 6 - Lancaster JetHawks
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