JetHawks suffer first losing skid of season

San Jose handed Lancaster its second consecutive loss - the JetHawks first losing streak of the season - in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday night.

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

The Lancaster JetHawks' first losing streak of the year came Wednesday night, as the JetHawks fell 6-2 to San Jose in the first seven-inning game of a doubleheader at Lancaster Municipal Stadium.

The Giants also topped the JetHawks 5-2 on Tuesday in the first game of the series, but Lancaster was ahead 5-0 through four innings of the second game.

"We didn't play very good," Parent said of the first game. "Once we got guys on (Lancaster starter Melqui) Torres didn't pitch very well.

"I didn't like the way the guys went about their business in the first game."

Torres came out strong in the first game, retiring the side in each of the first two innings.

But in the third, he fell apart, allowing four runs, two earned, in the inning. He was relieved in the fifth inning by Allan Simpson after surrendering a leadoff double to Carlos Mendoza.

Simpson would pitch two innings allowing just one run with three strikeouts.

Aaron Looper came in to throw a perfect seventh to finish the first game.

"Simpson and Looper came in and did a good job," Parent said of his relievers.

The JetHawks opened up the game, in what has become typical fashion, with a pair of runs in the first inning.

Second baseman Willie Bloomquist opened the bottom of the first with a walk and would come around to score on a one-out double from Juan Silvestre to left field. Silvestre scored two batters later on a double from Craig Kuzmic.

From that point on, Lancaster had trouble advancing runners around the bases.

The team collected six more hits, but only advanced two runners past second base over the last six innings.

"We weren't able to run early," Parent said. "Their catcher (Sammy Serrano) got it down to second pretty quick and we weren't able to run like we like to.

"The next thing you know, we're down. It just comes to a point where when the pitcher gets in trouble you have to bear down."

In the second game, Lancaster broke out to an early 4-0 lead with a three-run third inning.

Right-fielder Mike Abate started off the inning with a walk. He was followed by back-to-back singles from Antonio Perez and Bloomquist. Bloomquist's single to left drove in Abate to give the JetHawks a 2-0 lead.

San Jose starter Chris James followed by getting Silvestre to strikeout. But Giants' catcher Mike Wright couldn't hold on to the pitch and Perez came around to score on the play.

James then threw a wild pitch allowing Bloomquist to score for the 4-0 lead.

Lancaster's Josue Matos started the second game and held San Jose scoreless through four innings. He scattered four hits and notched five strikeouts through four.

The JetHawks got their first run in the second inning, thanks to a two-out rally.

Peanut Williams and Kuzmic both flew out to start the inning and Bo Robinson followed with a single to left field. Center fielder Harvey Hargrove walked to bring up backup catcher Travis McClendon.

McClendon singled to bring home Robinson but Hargrove was thrown out at third to end the inning and the rally.

Uploaded April 20, 2000