JetHawks work late, win again

Kuzmic, Williams key victory

By BRETT PAPE
Valley Press Staff Writer

Williams' two-out infield single scored Peanut Williams from third for the winning run as the JetHawks rallied from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Modesto A's 8-7 in 12 innings.

With the win, the JetHawks (12
3) maintained their one-game lead over second-place San Bernardino in the South Division second-half standings. The Stampede (11-4) routed Lake Elsinore, 14-1.

The victory also gave Lancaster it's longest winning streak of the season. After opening the second half with a 5-3 record, Lancaster has won seven consecutive games.

"Any time I put the ball on the ground I feel like I can beat it out with my speed," P.J. Williams said. "You have to feel good about getting a win like this."

Before P.J. Williams' winning hit, Lancaster reliever Caleb Balbuena appeared to dig the JetHawks into a big hole by loading the bases with no outs in the top of the 12th inning. However, thanks to Ryan Ludwick's popout to catcher Scott Maynard and Jon Schaeffer's 6-4-3 double play grounder, Balbuena got out of the inning without any A's crossing the plate.

"That was big," JetHawks' manager Mark Parent said. "We got ourselves in that position, but it was nice to see our defense come through. The win gives us a lot of confidence going into (tonight's) game at High Desert."

Early in the game, it was Kuzmic who was providing the heroics. He was 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored.

Kuzmic's two-homer night is his second of the season. He also hit a pair of homers on April 15th in a home game against Rancho Cucamonga.

His first home run was a solo shot to lead off the second inning, cutting Modesto's lead to 4-1. The switch-hitter hit the homer from the left side and it cleared the 385foot sign in right field.

After Juan Silvestre walked to start the fourth inning, Kuzmic struck again against Modesto starter Franklyn German. He hit an identical shot over the right field wall to collect a pair of RBI, igniting a four-run third inning for the JetHawks.

Harvey Hargrove had a runscoring double and P.J. Williams added a run-scoring single as Lancaster tied the game at 5-5. German got out of the inning by getting Lancaster's ninth hitter of the inning, Terrmel Sledge, to fly out to center.

After struggling in the first inning as Modesto jumped out to a 4-0 lead, Lancaster starter Melqui Torres settled down to allow one run from the second to fifth innings. Torres left the game with game tied at 5-5 after the top of the fifth.

Martinez appeared as if he had a chance to record his third win of the season as Lancaster scored a run in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-5 lead. Not surprisingly, it was Kuzmic who scored the run.

With one out, Kuzmic reached first on a single and later scored from second on a pickoff attempt from German that sailed into left field.

However, Aaron Looper relieved Torres in the sixth inning and failed to survive the inning, getting pulled with two outs and having allowed a run. He gave up one hit with two walks and a hit batter. Rusty Klein plated the A's run when he singled in Gary Schneidmiller.

Lancaster closer Brandon Parker entered the game with the bases loaded and promptly ended the inning by getting Brian Luderer to fly out to center. Parker, who has a Cal-League best 17 saves, also pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Willie Bloomquist put Lancaster on top in the sixth inning, giving Lancaster a 7-6 lead when he drove in Antonio Perez from second on a single to center.

With Parker being used in the sixth and seventh innings, Parent turned to Allan Simpson to get the final three outs for Lancaster.

However, after two quick outs, Simspon walked the next two batters and gave up a bloop single to Caonobe Cosme to drive in Matt Flores for the tying run. Simpson had four saves before Thursday's game.

Uploaded July 7, 2000