Solid Start Plagued by Errors, Missed Chances
Published on August 17, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, CA - For the third time in less than two weeks the JetHawks had an opportunity to take two out of three in a series against the High Desert Mavericks. For the third time the JetHawks came up short.
Last Sunday it was an eighth inning homer that set Lancaster back. Last Thursday Jack Marder hit a walk-off home run to win it for the Mavs. The latest loss may have been the toughest yet.
Nick Tropeano allowed just one earned run over 6 2/3 innings but the JetHawks allowed three unearned runs thanks to two costly errors and fell to the Mavericks, 4-3, on Thursday night at The Hangar.
With the game tied, 3-3, in the top of the ninth, reliever Andrew Robinson walked the leadoff batter Steven Proscia. Julio Morban, in an attempt to sacrifice the runner to second, bunted the ball in front of home plate. Roberto Peña picked the ball up and attempted a throw to second base. The throw went into centerfield allowing the runner to move to third on the error. Mario Martinez followed with a sacrifice fly to score Proscia for the deciding run.
The Mavericks had tied the game in the seventh inning thanks to another error. Tropeano had retired the first two batters in the inning and induced what should have been an inning-ending grounder to second base. Delino DeShields Jr. misplayed the ball to extend the inning. Mickey Wiswall followed with a home run to centerfield to tie the game.
Tropeano exited after the home run and did not factor into the decision. He struck out five without issuing a walk.
The tying home run had come just after Telvin Nash's home run to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Jiovanni Mier led off with a double. Starter Roenis Elias struck out Erik Castro and Domingo Santana to bring Nash to the plate. The designated hitter hit the first pitch over the right field fence for his 25th home run of the season.
Lancaster spoiled numerous scoring chances in the game. In the bottom of the eighth, after the bullpen had struck out the side after putting a runner at third with nobody out in the top of the inning, DeShields and Mier walked to get on with nobody out. Castro followed with a fly ball, Santana struck out and Nash went down on strikes against Wes Alsup (1-0).
In the bottom of the third, DeShields started with a double but was thrown out trying to steal third for the inning's first out. In the bottom of the first, the JetHawks had runners at first and third with nobody out twice and only managed one run on a Castro ground ball.
The JetHawks (62-60, 25-27) head to San Bernardino to take on the Inland Empire 66ers in the first of a three game series on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and Colton Cain (0-1, 5.52) will make the start.
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 August 17, 2012
- Lindsey and Cowart Crush, 66ers Cruise 5-1 - Inland Empire 66ers
- Offense Sputters in Series Opener Loss - Lancaster JetHawks
- Upcoming Homestand, Former Nuts Player Makes MLB Debut - Modesto Nuts
- Froggy's Wedding August 18 - Bakersfield Blaze
- San Jose Giants on Deck: Giants Travel to Stockton for Three-Game Series - San Jose Giants
- Quakes Peaking...Win Fifth Straight - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Skid Snapped; Blaze Beat Giants 4-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
- Solid Start Plagued by Errors, Missed Chances - Lancaster JetHawks
- Cron, Correa, Kelley Help 66ers Coast To Win - Inland Empire 66ers
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