Tucker, Lefties Put End to Losing Streak
June 12, 2013 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
LANCASTER, Calif. - Preston Tucker knocked four hits, including the game-winner, and the duo of Luis Cruz and Kyle Hallock to a shutout into the ninth inning as the JetHawks ended their eight-game skid with a 3-1 win over the High Desert Mavericks on Tuesday night at The Hangar.
Neither team was able to get on the board until Tucker came up with a big two-out hit in the sixth inning. Tucker singled off reliever George Mieses (2-3) to score Joe Sclafani, who had reached on a one-out double, to break the scoreless tie. The RBI was Tucker's 58th of the season and his first since June 2.
M.P. Cokinos followed with a two-run double to score Tucker and Brandon Meredith and give the JetHawks a 3-0 lead.
Kyle Hallock (4-1), the piggy-back starter, retired the side in order in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. He had retired 10 in a row when Ramon Morla broke the streak with a double in the ninth inning. Kevin Rivers followed with a single to score Morla and Rodney Linares decided to go to closer Travis Ballew to end the game.
Ballew entered and induced a game-ending double play to pick up his 10th save.
Luis Cruz gave Lancaster a good start, tossing five scoreless innings. Cruz allowed five hits and struck out five while issuing two walks. The left-hander struck out Jabari Blash with two men in scoring position to end the top of the fifth.
High Desert's starter Cameron Hobson left the game with an apparent injury in the second inning. Seon Gi Kim relieved him and threw three scoreless innings before Mieses entered the game. David Colvin threw the final 2 1/3 for the Mavs.
With the win, the JetHawks (36-29) maintained a lead of at least two games in the South Division with five games to play. They take on the Mavericks (32-33) in the final home game of the first half on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm.
Aaron West (2-3, 5.62) will make the start for Lancaster against right-hander Brett Shankin (2-1, 3.32).
Don't miss a moment of the 2013 season as the JetHawks look to repeat as California League Champions. Season tickets and great ticket packages are available now. To order, call (661) 726-5400 or visit jethawks.com.
California League Stories from June 12, 2013
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- Giants Hold off Nuts for 5-3 Win - Modesto Nuts
- Rawhide Return Powerful Favor, Beat Blaze 9-3 - Bakersfield Blaze
- 66ers Playoff Hopes Re"Born", IE Wins 4th Straight - Inland Empire 66ers
- Giants Pitchers Strike out 15 in 5-3 Win over Nuts - San Jose Giants
- Tucker, Lefties Put End to Losing Streak - Lancaster JetHawks
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