Rubber Game Slips Away in San Jose
Published on August 17, 2015 under California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - After the JetHawks built a five-run advantage, the San Jose Giants rallied to take the lead in the sixth, eventually handing the JetHawks a 7-5 loss in the rubber game of the series on Sunday night at Municipal Stadium.
The defeat dropped the JetHawks (60-59) a season-high seven games out of first place overall. Tandem starter Christian Powell (0-2) took the loss, surrendering five runs on four hits and one walk, recording just two outs in the sixth inning.
Chase McDonald hit his team-leading 24th home run for Lancaster, and Ronnie Mitchell tripled in his first two at-bats.
With the JetHawks leading, 5-1, Brian Ragira led off the bottom of the sixth for the Giants (59-60) with a double off Powell. After Seth Harrison was hit by a pitch, Ragira advanced to third on a flyout. Skyler Stromsmoe doubled Ragira home, and Harrison also scored on the play as Mitchell made an errant throw from right field. Daniel Carbonell then walked, and Angel Villalona hit a game-tying two-run double. Aramis Garcia followed with a RBI-single to give San Jose a 6-5 lead.
Putting runners on first and third with a pair of singles in the eighth, the Giants added another run when McDonald misplayed a grounder at first base.
Lancaster had opened the scoring in the second inning, as Mitchell led off with a triple and scored on a Mott Hyde RBI-double. In the third, Derek Fisher drew a two-out walk, and McDonald followed with a two-run homer off San Jose starter Martin Agosta.
With reliever Jeff Soptic (1-3) on the mound for the Giants in the fourth, Hyde hit a one-out single, advanced to second on a Marc Wik walk and reached third on a groundout. Hyde then scored from third on a wild pitch before Alex Bregman singled to plate Wik.
Soptic combined with Ray Black, Ian Gardeck and Jake Smith combined to hold the JetHawks hitless over the final five innings. A one-out walk issued to Hyde in the sixth accounted for Lancaster's only baserunner during the stretch, and the Giants bullpen recorded the final eight outs via strikeout.
The JetHawks return home to open a three-game series against the Inland Empire 66ers on Monday with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Francis Martes (2-1, 3.86) will pitch for Lancaster, while Inland Empire sends Jordan Kipper (6-8, 4.82) to the mound. The JetHawks will host Make-A-Difference Monday, presented by Time Warner Cable.
Don't miss a moment of exciting JetHawks action as they look to defend their 2014 California League title. Season tickets and other great ticket packages are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400, or visit jethawks.com.
California League Stories from August 17, 2015
- 66ers Fall 7-5 to Mavs, Lose Series - Inland Empire 66ers
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants, Ports to Play Three-Game Series in Stockton - San Jose Giants
- Ports End Visalia Vexing, Win 7-5 - Stockton Ports
- Quakes Complete Perfect Home Schedule against Storm - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Nuts Fall 6-5 to Blaze - Modesto Nuts
- Giants Rally Past JetHawks in Series Finale, 7-5 - San Jose Giants
- Blaze Squeeze by Nuts in Final Meeting, 6-5 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Rubber Game Slips Away in San Jose - Lancaster JetHawks
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