JetHawks stay on a hot streak

Following a six-game losing streak, the JetHawks have won four straight, including Saturday's night over San Jose at The Hangar.

By ALAN HENDRY
Valley Press Staff Writer

After limping home from a sixgame losing streak on the road, the JetHawks have put together a three-game winning streak, sweeping their series with San Bernardino.

Lancaster wasted no time trying to extend that number against San Jose Saturday night at The Hangar.

The JetHawks took control early and dominated, taking a 6-3 victory in front of a crowd of 5,563 on Fireworks Night.

The win also gave the JetHawks their 19th straight victory at home.

Lancaster manager Mark Parent said it has been the effort of the JetHawks making the difference.

"They are going to give their best effort," Parent said. "They play the game hard.

"That's what I'm most proud of."

The JetHawks struck early with a run in the second inning.

Left fielder Juan Silvestre singled to led off the inning, although San Jose left fielder Clay Greene misjudged a fly ball and allowed it to fall behind him. it was ruled a hit.

Craig Kuzmic and Bo Robinson followed with walks to load the bases.

First baseman Peanut Williams struck out, but catcher Scott Maynard hit the ball deep enough to score Silvestre on a sacrifice fly.

The next batter, center fielder Harvey Hargrove, was hit by a pitch to once again load the bases. However, shortstop Antonio Perez flied out to end the inning.

Designated hitter Terrmel Sledge didn't waste any time to put the JetHawks on the board again, leading off the third inning with his ninth home run off the season.

Silvestre followed with a single, Kuzmic followed that with a double and Williams brought both of them home with a single to give the JetHawks a 4-0 lead.

The Giants got on the board in the sixth inning as San Jose got three hits off of Lancaster starter Chris Mears.

San Jose shortstop Carlos Mendoza drove in designated hitter Sean McGowan with a single.

Mears struggled, giving up eight hits and two walks, but got out of several jams in his six innings of work to improve to 9-6 on the year.

"He made adjustments when it counted," Parent said. "Pitching is about making adjustments."

Right fielder Alex Fajardo led of the second inning with a triple for San Jose and tried to score on a fly ball to Silvestre by Mendoza.

The ball was to shallow left field and Silvestre easily gunned down Fajardo at home plate.

Lancaster struck again in the sixth when Williams took first base after being struck by a pitch to start the inning.

Hargrove drove in Williams with a single.

Silvestre gave the JetHawks a 6-1 lead with his 26th home run of the season to lead off the seventh inning.

Reliever Brandon Parker gave up two runs in the ninth as center fielder Scott Daeley hit a one out triple and left fielder Clay Greene doubled him home.

Parker could have ended the game on a grounder to Williams, but Parker dropped the ball as he ran over to cover first, which allowed Greene to score.

Parker came back to strike out the next batter, his second strikeout of the inning.

Pitcher Scott Atchison was promoted to Class-AAA Tacoma for the third time this season following Friday's game.

Atchison was 3-5 in 14 starts for the JetHawks with a 3.66 earned-run average with one complete game, the JetHawks' only one this season.

He was to start today's game. Instead, right-hander Caleb Balbuena (1-1) will go for the JetHawks.

Uploaded August 7, 2000