Homer wrecks 'Hawks'

Lancaster starter Scott Atchison held San Bernardino to three hits in six innings, but one of the hits was a three-run homer by Lamont Matthews.

By BRETT PAPE
Valley Press Staff Writer

In the midst of a pitching duel with San Bernardino's Rick Roberts, Atchison gave up a two-out, three-run homer in the sixth inning to Lamont Matthews as the Stampede went on to beat the JetHawks 3-1 Sunday afternoon at The Ranch.

Atchison (0-1) gave up three hits with four strikeouts in six innings of work. In his first two starts for Lancaster, Atchison gave up 10 earned runs in 8 innings.

Parent had debated pulling the right-hander before facing the lefthanded hitting Matthews. However, Parent stuck with Atchison only to watch Matthews pull a 2-0 pitch over the right field wall with two runners on.

In Thursday's 6-5 Stampede win over the JetHawks, Matthews had an inside-the-park home run.

"The reason why I left him against (Matthews) was because he handled him pretty good throughout the day," Parent said.

Atchison got Matthews to fly out to short in the second and struck him out in the fifth inning.

"It was going to be his last inning," Parent said. "I think I have been letting the starters go too long, but they have told me that they were OK. I let him go too long. . . but he pitched a great game."

Atchison's struggles in his first two starts were credited to a hanging curveball that had trouble finding the strike zone. On Sunday, Atchison was sharper and was going for strikes most of the game.

"He was outstanding," said Lancaster pitching coach Scott Budner, who had worked with Atchison on his curveball since he was activated on May 18. "We are trying to (get) him to finish a little better. The main thing is, we were trying to shorten up his breaking ball. It was so big that it was tough for him to get it in for strikes.

"He was much better today. When you only make a couple of mistakes you have to be happy. I would love to get more starts like that one."

While it was an impressive start for Atchison, the loss means that Lancaster's lead over San Bernardino in the South Division has shrunk to 1 1/2 games. The last time the Stampede were so close to the JetHawks in the standings was May 6.

"I am not really worried about the lead in the standings right now," Parent said. "We still have plenty of time and we should be getting some guys off the DL in the next couple of weeks."

As strong as Atchison was, Roberts was even better for the Stampede. Roberts pitched seven innings with four hits allowed. The only run he gave up was a first-inning unearned run scored by Cory Freeman on Joe Thurston's error.

Scott Martin pitched two innings of no-hit ball to record his first save of the season. Martin retired the side in order in the ninth with two strikeouts.

San Bernardino is the first team in 2000 to hold Lancaster to four hits, and the second to limit the JetHawks to one run.

Uploaded May 28, 2000