Slumping JetHawks utilize Kuzmic for win

Craig Kuzmic had a home run, a triple, scored twice and drove in a run as Lancaster beat Rancho Cucamonga.

By JON MICHAELS
Valley Press Staff Writer

Craig Kuzmic, who has singlehandedly destroyed Rancho Cucamonga pitching, did so again, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple, two runs and a run batted in as Lancaster knocked off the Quakes 6-2 in front of 2,517 at The Hangar on Tuesday.

Kuzmic improved his average to .371 against Rancho, and has driven in 20 runs in the 14 games against the Quakes.

"I knew coming to the yard today, that I hit Rancho pretty hard," Kuzmic said. "Today was the first day in a while I've been seeing the ball well. That home run was one I really needed. I haven't hit one like that in a while."

Manager Mark Parent had high praise for Kuzmic, but said Tuesday was just the latest example of how important he is to the club, which had lost four of its last five games.

"I was thinking a lot about Kuz today, and he's like our MVP," Parent said. "He's going to have 100 RBI, 100 runs, he's been hitting over .310 the whole year, he plays everywhere. . . fills in where ever we need him. He's even caught some games.

"I can't say enough about Kuz, he's phenomenal."

While Kuzmic provided the offense, Lancaster starter Jeff Heaverlo controlled the game on the mound. The right-hander pitched eight solid innings, scattering eight hits and giving up two runs.

Heaverlo (13-5) struck out eight batters on the night, winning for the eighth time in his last 10 decisions.

"Jeff pitched the (heck) out of the ball," Parent said. "His stuff on the outside was golden, and once he started going inside, he was tough tonight."

Lancaster (76-46) gave Rancho Cucamonga starter Duncan McAdoo fits early, as three of the first four batters he faced reached base safely.

With one out, Freddy May singled and McAdoo compounded the problem by issuing consecutive walks to Juan Silvestre and Bo Robinson.

Peanut Williams drove in May and Silvestre with a single to center field.

Lancaster added to its lead in the second inning, once again cashing in on loaded bases.

McAdoo started the inning by walking Scott Maynard and allowed a single to Wilfredo Quintana. Antonio Perez followed by beating out a bunt to third base to load the bases.

May chased home the first run of the inning as he was erased on the tail end of a 4-6-3 double play. Kuzmic then pushed the lead to 4-0 with a single that scored Quintana.

Heaverlo cruised through the first four innings, giving up one single. But the Quakes solved the right-hander.

Al Benjamin began the fifth with a long home run to right-center field off Heaverlo to slice the deficit to 4-1.

Darren Bush followed the homer with a single before John Adams bounced a double over the center-field wall. Heaverlo bounced the next pitch past Maynard at home, allowing Bush to score.

After a visit to the mound by the coaching staff, Heaverlo settled down and struck out the next three batters to end the threat.

Kuzmic added to Lancaster's lead in the fifth inning, smashing his 18th home run of the season over the double-tiered fence in right-center.

Kuzmic added to his evening in the seventh, lacing a triple down the left-field line and coming home on a wild pitch to increase the lead to 6-2.

Before the game, the JetHawks promoted Jamie Bubela, their seventh round pick in the June 2000 draft, from Everett to Lancaster.

Bubela, who signed with the Mariners on June 28, was hitting .230 with a home run and 13 RBI in 30 games. He had five extrabase hits and 13 stolen bases in 16 attempts.

Uploaded August 16, 2000