Robinson Saves Game, Evens Series
Published on June 13, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
RANCHO CUGAMONGA, CA - The scene was all too familiar. With the JetHawks leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes put runners at second and third with just one out. With their first half title hopes on the line, manager Rodney Linares summoned Andrew Robinson from the bullpen.
The right-hander struck out Alexis Aguilar and induced a game-ending ground ball off the bat of Leon Landry to end the game and give the JetHawks a 3-2 victory on Tuesday night at The Epicenter. Robinson picked up his second save of the season.
Jose Trinidad (6-3), who has not allowed an earned run in 12 2/3 consecutive innings, had retired the final two batters of the eighth inning before being called back out for the ninth. The inning started with a Bobby Coyle base hit and a walk to Chris Jacobs. After Scott Wingo bunted the runners into scoring position Linares made the move to go to Robinson.
The JetHawks had taken the lead in the top of the ninth thanks to a Quakes error. With runners at first and third, reliever Scott McGough (2-3) tried to pick off Rafael Valenzuela at first and threw the ball up the right field line, allowing Domingo Santana to score.
Santana had started the inning with a single and Valenzuela followed with a hit by pitch. With an 0-1 count Telvin Nash tried to bunt the runners over and missed the bunt. Catcher Michael Pericht tried to back-pick Santana at second and when he threw down, Santana took off for third and reached safely for a stolen base to set up the winning run.
The game started as a pitcher's duel between right-handers Tyson Perez and Zach Lee. The JetHawks struck first against Lee, scoring two runs in the fifth inning.
Jonathan Meyer reached on a single and scored on an Enrique Hernandez double to left field. Ben Heath followed with a groundout that scored Hernandez who had reached third when the Quakes tried to throw Meyer out at the plate.
The Quakes tied the game in the sixth on Jonathan Garcia's two-run home run against Perez.
Perez allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings allowing four hits and striking out a career-high eight batters. Lee two runs on four hits in five innings of work.
With the win, Lancaster (34-32) moved into a tie with High Desert (34-32), one game behind both Rancho Cucamonga (35-31) and Lake Elsinore (35-31). Had they lost, they would have been three games out of first with three teams ahead of them in the standings and just four games to play in the first half.
The rubber game of the three game series is set for Wednesday night at The Epicenter. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Jorge De Leon (1-5, 8.51) will start against Brandon Martinez (1-1, 4.67).
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 13, 2012
- 66ers Add Low-A Angels Triples Leader to Roster - Inland Empire 66ers
- Early Explosion Propels Giants to 14-2 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Streak Ends at Eight; Landry Named to All-Star Team - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Robinson Saves Game, Evens Series - Lancaster JetHawks
- Rawhide, Diamondbacks Announce PDC Extension - Visalia Rawhide
- 66ers Fall 14-2 - Inland Empire 66ers
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