Atchison lost in Storm's eye as 'Hawks lose

Lake Elsinore scored seven unearned runs to snap Lancaster's three-game winning streak.

Atchison entered the game with an 0-2 record and accompanying 8.05 ERA. But after receiving three runs of support in the first inning, it appeared Atchison just might earn his first win in five starts this season.

But his defense faltered, allowing seven unearned runs in the second inning alone, as the Storm snapped Lancaster's three-game winning streak with a 10-5 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 7,549.

"Our outfield has been playing like crap lately," Lancaster manager Mark Parent said. "We've just been giving away outs. It's tough to win games when you do that.

"And then after we gave up all those runs, our guys come up and try and hit nine-run home runs. I've never seen somebody hit one of those yet."

The loss, coupled with San Bernardino's 4-3 win over Mudville, slips Lancaster one full game behind the Blaze atop the standings.

After Lancaster went ahead 3-0 in its first at-bat, highlighted by Terrmel Sledge's run-scoring double and an RBI single by Bo Robinson, the tempo suddenly changed course.

Atchison had no one to blame but himself for allowing leadoff batter Ariel Delgado to reach base by hitting him.

But Atchison's teammates made sure it was a costly inning. Robb Quinlan bounced a hard grounder to shortstop Antonio Perez, who could not cleanly field the ball for an error.

After retiring Noberto Lopez on a fly ball, Atchinson coaxed the ninth batter, Alfredo Amezaga, into hitting a fly ball to left. But left fielder Juan Silvestre misjudged the ball, and stumbled to the ground after trying to turn his body around and the ball glanced off his glove, allowing both runners to score and Amezaga to reach third.

"He misplayed the ball and didn't keep his feet moving," Parent said. "I hope this setback doesn't hurt us. Tomorrow we just need to come out and play a little harder and a little better."

The play, which should have been the third out of the inning, rattled Atchison, who gave up three consecutive singles to push the Storm's lead to 5-3.

But just when it looked like Lancaster might escape, the defense kept the Storm alive.

Atchison struck out Mike Christensen, the apparent final out until the ball eluded catcher Scott Maynard, allowing Christensen to reach base and the sixth run to score. Two batters later, Quinlan singled in the inning's seventh unearned run.

Robinson edged Lancaster back to 8-5 with a monster 400-foot homer to left field, his fifth of the year.

If the JetHawks want to resume their winning ways, they'll have to do it against Major League competition.

Anaheim Angels starter Ken Hill takes the mound tonight against Lancaster in a rehab assignment. Hill posted a 3-4 record and a 7.41 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched this season.

Tonight marks the second time this season Lancaster will face a Major League pitcher. On May 30, the JetHawks faced Los Angles Dodgers right-hander Orel Hershiser, when he pitched for the San Bernardino Stampede.

Tonight's Lancaster starter, Enmanuel Ulloa (3-3), drew the tough task of facing Hershiser as well.

Uploaded June 10, 2000