Mudslide victory

Big inning lets Lancaster continue winning ways

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Without the fourth inning Monday, Mudville would have walked away with a two-run win at Lancaster Municipal Stadium.

Instead, the JetHawks marched 12 men to the plate and scored eight runs to take an 8-2 win before an announced crowd of 2,321 at The Hangar.

The win pushes Lancaster (26-6, 66-36) 30 games over .500 this season, the first time in club history the JetHawks have reached that plateau.

In addition, at 20-3 in July, it is the first time in club history the JetHawks have won 20 games in a month.

JetHawks starter Jeff Heaverlo (11-4) easily made those eight runs stand up as he went seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and three walks. Heaverlo got the Nine's No. 5 hitter, Eduardo Figueroa, to strikeout three times.

"He threw all three pitches strikes and kept the hitters off balance," pitching coach Scott Budner said. "He lost his rhythm a couple times and walked a few guys, but overall was very solid.

"When you mix your pitches like Jeff did today, they're not going to hit the ball very hard off of you."

Heaverlo started the eighth but after giving up back-to-back hits to Jason Fox and Chris Rowan, he was relieved by Denny McDaniel.

"We got a damn good outing from (Jeff)," Parent said. "The adrenaline caught up to him and he got away from what he does best, and couldn't finish the game like he wanted.

"But we needed to get McDaniel and (Brandon) Parker some innings, so it worked out."

Parker started the top of the ninth and quickly retired the side, striking out two, to end the game.

Mudville starter Matt Childers gave up all eight of Lancaster's runs, but all eight were unearned as third baseman Nick Caiazzo threw away the potential third out.

"We took advantage of a two-out error," Parent said. "Again the guys jumped all over the opportunity when it presented itself."

Childers (1-5) also walked in a run and hit Harvey Hargrove to bring in another.

In two games against Lancaster, Mudville starters have allowed 18 unearned runs, including 10 on Sunday.

The fourth inning was the 26th time this season that Lancaster has batted around in an inning and the 17th time it has scored six or more runs in an inning.

Eight of the nine JetHawks starters scored in the inning.

"When the other teams give us extra outs, we take advantage of it," Hargrove said. "That's what good teams do and we feel we're a good team.

"When we get those big innings, it really takes the wind out of the other guys."

Both first baseman Craig Kuzmic and left fielder Juan Silvestre went 2-for-2 in the fourth with two RBI each in the inning.

Silveste had two singles and the inning and Kuzmic smacked a single and a two-run double.

Kuzmic finished 3-for-4, getting hits in his first three at-bats before striking out to end the sixth.

Shortstop Antonio Perez sat out Monday with a stiff neck. First baseman Peanut Williams also missed time with a bone spur in his left foot.

"We're basically down to nine guys," Parent said. "But they both should be ready for tomorrow."

Uploaded July 25, 2000