Torres gets some help from Kuzmic in 19-3 win

Willie Bloomquist had six hits and Melqui Torres earned his first win of the season as the JetHawks won their second in a row.

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

Through three starts he sure didn't look like it. Torres was 0-2 with a 6.87 ERA heading into the weekend.

That all changed on Sunday.

While his team banged out 22 hits - six of them by Willie Bloomquist - Torres threw seven innings of two-run ball as the JetHawks ran over Lake Elsinore 17-3, for their second consecutive Sunday blowout.

Last Sunday, Lancaster beat up on Visalia 24-9.

"The big thing for us today," manager Mark Parent said, "was that Melqui finally had a big outing for us.

"I remembered that (Craig) Kuzmic caught Melqui's last big outing in spring. That enabled me to get (Kuzmic) back there."

Parent has used Kuzmic primarily as a utility man at the corners and as a designated hitter.

"That was my first game back there this year," Kuzmic said. "It's a little different to get back there, but I like it."

Despite the layoff from behind the plate, Kuzmic eased in to help Torres (1-2) get his first win of the season.

"The thing with Melqui is that when he has his good control he is a strong effective pitcher," Kuzmic said. "He had four pitches today working for him. It came down to he was throwing strikes.

"When you get your first pitch strikes, that's what is going to get you outs."

On Sunday, Torres was given an early 7-1 lead through three innings, enabling Kuzmic to call a more fastball-oriented game for the native Dominican.

"I had to make sure he's more aggressive out there by throwing strikes and not getting lazy," Kuzmic said. "We had a big lead today and it was good that he was able to get going and not get lazy at all."

Torres finished by walking just one batter with three strikeouts.

Kuzmic drew three walks and scored a team-high four runs, going 1-for-3.

With normal leadoff hitter Antonio Perez out again with a bruised hand, Bloomquist was given the call to bat at the top of the order.

Bloomquist responded with a 6for-7 game with four runs batted in.

"I don't think I'm the ideal prototype leadoff hitter," Bloomquist said. "I'm not as fast as you probably need to be. But from a mental frame I like batting there.

"There's nothing better than getting up there and getting a base hit as the first guy up. It kind of sends a message to the other team."

Those six hits in a game are one shy of the Cal League record for hits in a game. They also boosted Bloomquist's average form .330 to .368.

"I had to make up for last night's 0-for-4 with three (strikeouts)," Bloomquist said. "I don't think I've ever had three strikeouts in a game.

"The six hits are nice, but I've got to come back out here and do it again tomorrow."

The win, coupled with San Bernardino's 2-1 loss at High Desert, gives the JetHawks a 1 1/2-game lead in the Cal League Southern Division.

Lancaster had no problem getting runs or hits from the lineup on Sunday.

The team finished with 22 hits and all nine starters scored at least one run.

"We got hits when we needed them," Parent said. "Bloomquist obviously had a great game but everybody offensively chipped in."

Uploaded May 1, 2000