Lancaster Wins Wild One, Completes Sweep
August 6, 2018 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, Calif. - In a game that Lancaster trailed by five and which featured six lead changes, the JetHawks came out on top, 10-9, over Rancho Cucamonga at The Hangar Sunday. Manny Melendez came through with the go-ahead hit in the eighth inning, giving Lancaster a series sweep.
Lancaster (27-17, 60-54) finally managed to take the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth inning. With the game tied, 9-9, Luis Castro led off the inning with a double. Two batters later, Manny Melendez slapped a single to left field to put the JetHawks on top.
Ben Bowden (3-2) got the final four outs of Sunday's contest to earn the win. Rancho's Michael Boyle (1-1) took the loss after allowing just his third run in 16 appearances.
There were six lead changes in total Sunday. Colton Welker put Lancaster in front with an RBI single in the first inning, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. Rancho Cucamonga (32-12, 67-47) answered with a six-run second inning to take a five-run lead.
The JetHawks responded with the next six runs to take the lead, 7-6. Bret Boswell's two-run home run in the fourth inning tied the game. Vince Fernandez, who drove in three runs, put Lancaster on top with an RBI double in the fifth. The five-run deficit is the largest Lancaster has overcome in a win this year.
Lancaster's bullpen combined to allow just three runs (two earned) in 7.1 innings. Heath Holder did not allow a hit and struck out five in 3.1 innings.
The lead changed hands again in the seventh and eighth innings, with Lancaster getting the final say. After a 21-1 win Friday, the JetHawks took the final two games of the series by a single run.
The series sweep was the third of the season for Lancaster. Inland Empire and Lake Elsinore each swept their respective series over the weekend as well, so the JetHawks lead the 66ers by just a game in the standings with the teams set to start a series Tuesday.
After an off day Monday, the JetHawks and 66ers begin a crucial three-game set on Tuesday night in Lancaster. Brandon Gold (9-6) starts in search of a tenth win against Inland Empire's Adrian De Horta (0-1). First pitch from The Hangar is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
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California League Stories from August 6, 2018
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