'Hawks rally for big win

Craig Kuzmic's two-run triple in the eighth inning helped Lancaster to its second straight win over San Jose.

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

Catcher Craig Kuzmic roped a two-run triple into the right-field corner off of Giants reliever Keith Connolly to lift the JetHawks to a 5-2 win on kazoo day at San Jose Municipal Stadium.

Lancaster started the eighth with a walk to P.J. Williams, and after shortstop Antonio Perez struck out, Williams moved to third on a single by Terrmel Sledge, setting up Kuzmic's triple.

"For the second game in a row, we got some timely hitting again," JetHawks manager Mark Parent said. "We had trouble laying down the bunt when we needed it but we were able to pull it out with some good pitching again."

Lancaster starter Enmanuel Ulloa won his fifth straight decision after throwing seven innings of three-hit, two-run ball on Monday.

"Manny threw very well today," Parent said. "It's good that we got those late runs to get him the win because he deserved it."

Both of San Jose's runs were unearned and came in the second inning after first baseman Sean McGowan lead off and reached base on an error by Perez.

"Manny stayed down very well and mixed his pitches real well," Lancaster pitching coach Scott Budner said. "The key to his game today was when he fell behind in the count, he was able to get his offspeed stuff across for strikes.

"That made his fastball that much more effective."

San Jose starter Jerome Williams (4-4) entered Tuesday's game with a bit of an erratic reputation.

"He throws hard and made some good plays," Parent said. "He's a good athlete and it turned into a nice pitcher's duel. Fortunately for us, we came out on top with help from the bullpen."

In the first inning, Williams lived up to that reputation, walking P.J. Williams and beaning Perez to start the game.

Sledge made him pay with a single right back through the box, to drive in P.J. Williams and put Lancaster up 1-0.

Slumping recently, Sledge finished 2-for-4 with a run batted in and a run scored.

"I've been struggling, I admit it," Sledge said. "But I have to keep battling and not let my head down. I've got to keep fighting and hopefully I get back on track.

"When you get a hit in your first at-bat, that's going to help build your confidence. I haven't had one of those in quite a while."

Sledge is not the only JetHawk who's struggled on the road trip at the plate. For the first time all season, left fielder Juan Silvestre went hitless in back-to-back games.

After going 0-for-4 on Monday, Silvestre finished 0-for-5 on Tuesday.

"Even when a guy like (Silvestre) has a tough game," Parent said, "I feel we have the horses to still win."

Ulloa left after seven innings and Parent called in Aaron Looper to relieve. Looper retired the side in order and Brandon Parker tossed a scoreless ninth for his first save since late June.

"He was erratic but still got the job done," Budner said of Parker. "We made adjustments in his delivery and it's proving to be effective."

"Bud's been working with me to keep the ball down," Parker said. "I was just glad to get back in there and put that new stuff to work."

Uploaded July 19, 2000