Silvestre hits another mark in JetHawks win

Juan Silvestre set a team record with his 27th home run of the season as Lancaster snapped a two-game losing streak.

In the process, he helped Lancaster squeeze by Rancho Cucamonga, 6-5, before a crowd of 2,792 at Lancaster Municipal Stadium.

Even without manager Mark Parent for half of Friday's game, the JetHawks were able to break their brief two-game skid at home, thanks in part to Silvestre's efforts.

Parent received his second ejection in three games Friday, both by umpire Chris Hamburg. All four of Parent's ejections this season have come courtesy of Hamburg.

"I've been spending time trying to justify why I argue with this guy," Parent said. "But when I look back at it, there are so many bad plays and missed calls that I've just had it.

"I either have to put blinders on or something because I can't keep getting thrown out."

In the fifth, Lancaster's Freddie May grounded down to Rancho's Shane Hopper at third. Hopper's throw to first was wide, but first baseman Graham Koonce seemingly tagged May on the fly by.

Hamburg initially called May safe. However, after Quakes manager Tom LaVasseur trotted out to argue his case, Hamburg conferred with plate ump Troy Penrod and reversed the call. That incited Parent to argue his side.

"I came out to argue the play and he said, `What Mark, do you want to get thrown out again?' " Parent said, "and I said, `I don't care. You keep (messing) up all the plays.' And that's when he tossed me.

"I tried to stay calm on the way over. But it's a joke for him to ask (for help) on that play."

The JetHawks (35-14, 75-44), though, had already done all of their offensive damage before Parent left the game.

They jumped on a pair of walks from Quakes (20-29, 57-62) starter Ben Howard (4-10) in the bottom of the first when third baseman Bo Robinson hit a three-run shot to center field to provide a quick 3-0 lead for the JetHawks.

Silvestre hit his homer, a twoout shot to right, to put the JetHawks up 4-0.

That home run put him one past the season mark set by Peanut Williams last season with 26.

"I've got a few more weeks to go," Silvestre said. "I need to keep swinging the bat and making contact."

Silvestre has seen his average dip this past week as the home run broke a three-game hitless streak, his longest of the season.

"Every day is new day for me," Silvestre said. "I see a new person each day. I know I can get better."

Scott Atchison started the game for Lancaster and went five innings before giving way to Caleb Balbuena, who he split the start with.

Atchison (4-5) picked up the win, giving up two runs, including a solo home run by Shane Hopper with two outs in the first.

Balbuena looked shakier, lasting three innings. He gave up three runs, one earned, in that span.

Brandon Parker threw a scoreless ninth for his 20th save of the season.

Uploaded August 12, 2000