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Tempers Flare as Mavericks Charge Mound, Beat JetHawks

August 19, 2006 - California League (CalL1)
High Desert Mavericks News Release


(LANCASTER, CA) - In a game that saw ejections, players playing new positions, a bench clearing brawl, and players walked with the bases loaded for runs, the High Desert Mavericks rallied for five runs in the seventh inning to come from behind and beat the first-place JetHawks 8-6. Despite the loss, Lake Elsinore's loss against Visalia kept the JetHawks in first place by one game over the Storm.

The Mavericks tempers first boiled over at the end of the sixth inning. Already up 4-2, the JetHawks loaded the bases with two outs. Richard Mercado singled home two runs, leading High Desert manager Jeff Carter to make a pitching change. Mavs starter Luis Cota began yelling at the umpires and gesturing, leading to his ejection. Carter joined him in being tossed from the game moments later.

Anger got the best of the Mavericks again in the seventh inning. JetHawks reliever Matt Fowles had walked the first two hitters of the inning when he hit Geraldo Valentin with a 2-2 pitch. Valentin, who had been hit by a Fowles pitch a week before, charged the mound, throwing punches at Fowles. The benches cleared leading to Valentin's ejection. After the mess was sorted out, the Mavericks got a third walk and three singles and scored five times to take the lead and win the game.

The JetHawks, playing short-handed without back-up middle infielders for several weeks, finally paid for it, just one night before reinforcements were scheduled to arrive. Second baseman Emilio Bonifacio left the game with an injury in the fifth inning. With no infielders left, right fielder Jon Zeringue was forced to play second base, while catcher Richard Mercado was pressed into service at first base.

The JetHawks continue a seven-game homestand Saturday night at Clear Channel Stadium against High Desert. Esmerling Vasquez(4-7) pitches for the JetHawks against Danny Christensen (4-6) of the Mavericks. The game begins at 7:00 PM. The radio broadcast begins with the Burns Pharmacy JetHawks Pre-Game Show at 6:45 on Magic 1340 and online at jethawks.com. The JetHawks host the Fallen Heroes Softball Tournament from 2-5 before the JetHawks game. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Fallen Hero Fund, which supports Antelope Valley families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

For tickets to remaining JetHawks home games, contact the JetHawks box office by phone at (661) 726-500, or by visiting the team's official website www.jethawks.com. If the JetHawks qualify for the 2006 California League playoffs, tickets will go on sale to the general public Tuesday, September 5 at 10 AM.



California League Stories from August 19, 2006


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