Kuzmic does whatever it takes

Lancaster improved to 21-3 for the month and won for the 18th time in its last 19 home games since the all-star break with its third straight victory over Mudville.

By BRETT PAPE
Valley Press Staff Writer

Continuing their best month in the franchise's five-year existence, the JetHawks improved to 21-3 in July with a businesslike 7-1 win Tuesday night over the Mudville Nine in front of an announced crowd of 3,567 at The Hangar.

The win also improved Lancaster's record at home to 18-1 since the all-star break. On the season, the JetHawks have an impressive 40-16 home record.

"This is a freakish-type thing," Parent said of his team's play in July. "I don't think anyone can imagine having a month like this. Our guys take advantage of their mistakes.

"You just try to keep going with it."

On Tuesday, the JetHawks kept it going with another strong performance from a starting pitcher. Chris Mears (8-5) gave up six hits and one run in 6 innings of work for the win.

The only run Mears allowed came in the fifth inning when he balked to allow Mudville's Jason Fox to score from third. Fox did his part by stealing second and third after reaching when Mears couldn't handle his ground ball back to the mound.

Mears was pulled in the top of the seventh inning after getting the first two hitters out. He was replaced by Jordan Zimmerman, who pitched one scoreless inning in his first appearance for Lancaster this year.

Zimmerman arrived in Lancaster late Monday night from extended spring training in Arizona.

Caleb Balbuena pitched the final 1 innings, giving up two unearned runs on two hits. He was hurt in the bottom of the ninth inning by three errors.

"Mears made it really easy for us tonight," Parent said. "He could have probably gone longer, but we needed to get some other guys some work. He was really strong for us."

While Mears was strong on the mound, Terrmel Sledge led the way at the plate. The right-fielder was 4-for-5 and drove in four runs.

Sledge's biggest hit was a tworun triple in the fifth inning. The drive down the right-field line scored Freddie May and Robert Gandolfo.

"I hadn't had one those days in a long time," Sledge said. "I was just more aggressive. . . I started swinging and not thinking at the plate."

Both teams struggled in the field, committing four errors apiece. Mudville committed 10 errors in the Lancaster sweep, the 10th time in 2000 that the JetHawks have swept a series from an opponent.

With its fourth consecutive victory, the only thing that looks like it can slow Lancaster is a day off. The JetHawks are off today before heading to Modesto on Thursday.

Not surprisingly, Parent isn't all that excited about having a day off.

"The way we are playing right now, I would like to see us keep going," Parent said. "It will be nice for some of the guys to get the day off.

"I am not really worried about it, though. The only thing I worry about is the guys coming out and working hard and they have been doing that."

Robert Gandolfo had his best start since taking over for Willie Bloomquist at second base, going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. After flying out to third in the bottom of the third inning in his first at bat, Gandolfo recorded three consecutive singles.

"We are just coming out here and having fun," Gandolfo said. "We are just doing the little things to win and it's a lot fun to come and play."

Uploaded July 26, 2000