Lancaster's road trip ends with another loss

Lancaster continued its slide, losing for the sixth time in a row as the Blaze posted five runs in the seventh inning.

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

Heading into the final game of a three-game set against the respective division leaders, the JetHawks had lost the first two contests, both one-run games.

On Tuesday, Lancaster fell 11-8 to the Blaze before a crowd of 813 at Sam Lynn Ball Park in a game in which it had a two-run lead as late as the seventh inning.

Lancaster posted two runs in the top of the ninth but again fell short in the late innings.

The loss extends the JetHawks' season-high losing streak to six games and is the second time in as many series that Lancaster (27-12, 67-42) has been swept.

JetHawks starter Scott Atchison (3-5) was chased from the game midway through the seventh as the Blaze posted five runs in the inning and took a 9-6 lead, leaving Atchison to receive the loss.

With one run across for Bakersfield (24-16, 61-49) in the inning, JetHawks manager Mark Parent was tossed from the game after arguing with base-umpire Chris Hamburg over a call at first base.

On the play, third baseman Bo Robinson fielded a ground ball from Brett Casper, checked Scoop McDowell at second base and threw to first.

Casper was called safe at first and McDowell took third on the play, prompting Parent to argue his case.

The Blaze would roll on to score four more runs in the frame and take the lead.

Atchison also dug himself into an early hole, giving up one run in each of the first two innings to fall behind 2-0.

In the first, Bakersfield used singles by Jeremy Luster and Jake Messner to manufacture the game's first run.

Kevin Tommasini led off the second with a single off Atchison and came in to score on a two-out single by Ryan Luther.

The JetHawks, who found the gas to their once sputtering offense Monday with 11 runs, put up three runs in the top of the sixth and scored runs in five innings.

In the sixth, Lancaster took advantage of a pair of walks by Blaze reliever Mike Zirelli (7-4) as Robinson delivered with a run-scoring single and Peanut Williams with a two-run hit to put the JetHawks up 5-2.

Despite the damage, Zirelli picked up the win.

Williams also led off the fifth with a double off the left-field wall and scored on a single by Wilfredo Quintana to tie the game at 2-2.

Right fielder Terrmel Sledge put the JetHawks on the board with a solo home run to leadoff the fourth inning.

The home run was Sledge's seventh of the year and upped his RBI total to 65.

Lancaster reliever Omar Obando gave up two runs in the eighth on three his and a walk.

Game notes

Reliever Allan Simpson was activated from the disabled list before Tuesday's game and should work in the bullpen tonight.

Outfielder P.J. Williams underwent surgery Tuesday on his right shoulder to repair ligament damage suffered this season.

Uploaded August 2, 2000