'Hawks use arms for a win

Josue Matos picked up the victory, tossing five innings and allowing only one hit in Lancaster's victory over Modesto Sunday afternoon at John Thurman Field.

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

JetHawks starter Josue Matos threw five innings of one-hit ball on his way to earning the win.

Matos dominated Modesto, retiring the side in the first and fourth innings and allowing just one baserunner, Nick Sosa, to reach second base.

Matos finished the game with seven strikeouts and just three walks before being relieved in the sixth by Julio Ayala, who threw two innings of scoreless ball.

For Lancaster, it showed itself that it could win ballgames without the long ball. After hitting five home runs in their first three games, the JetHawks had to go out and earn their runs on Sunday.

"If our pitchers do what they're supposed to, our hitting and fielding will take care of itself," outfielder P.J. Williams said. "We didn't put up that many hits today (five), but when we did we made them count."

Modesto's pitching staff effectively shut down power hitters Juan Silvestre (0-for-4, 3 strikeouts) and Peanut Williams (0-for4, 3 Ks). That duo came into Sunday's game with two home runs apiece in three games.

Their lack of hitting left the JetHawks in the position of having to manufacture runs to win.

In the third inning, P.J. Williams drew a two-out walk from Modesto starter Juan Pena and promptly stole second. Antonio Perez then legged out a bunt single to place runners at the corners for recently cold second baseman Willie Bloomquist. Bloomquist stepped up to the challenge and promptly deposited Pena's 2-1 pitch into the right-field corner for a two-run triple.

"I tried to step back and see the pitch as long as I could," Bloomquist said of the triple. "They left a big hole (behind second) and I was really trying to hit something that way."

That 2-0 lead would stand until the seventh when designated hitter Bo Robinson led off with a walk. One out later, Vaughn Schill singled and A's reliever Darrin Moore hit Lancaster backup catcher Travis McClendon to load the bases.

With the pressure on, Moore issued back-to-back walks to P.J. Williams and Perez to seal the game for Lancaster. Moore walked Williams on four straight pitches.

"I had some good at-bats today," P.J. Williams said. "I made the pitcher come to me and I got them deep into the count for some walks.

"I got on base and did what I was supposed to do, steal bags and score runs."

In the bottom of the ninth, Lancaster reliever Cody Morrison nearly let Modesto back into the game when he hit Christian Reyes with a pitch and walked Sosa to give the A's two men on with no outs.

Brandon Parker put out the flame, though, as he pitched to two batters in the ninth to record his second save of the year. Parker struck out Jesus Basabe and got Brian Luderer to ground into a game-ending double play.

Uploaded April 10, 2000