Cuts set for some players

With cuts in sight, players had their last chance to make an impression in the Lancaster work-out group.

Tuesday was the final chance for players to make an impression on the coaching staff before another round of cuts were to be made later in the evening.

"We had to get another look at some of the fringe players today," Lancaster pitching coach Scott Budner said.

The JetHawks, without some of the group's top pitching, fell to Modesto 12-8 on Tuesday.

Through four innings, Jared Smith pitched well for Lancaster, surrendering two runs and scattering six hits over four innings.

When Smith left after the fourth, the score was tied 2-2.

But a disastrous pair of innings from right-hander Aaron Looper, in which he gave up seven runs, gave the A's a 9-2 lead.

Looper served up seven hits, including three doubles, in his two innings of work.

Lancaster was able to bounce back with a pair of three-run innings in the eighth and ninth to make the score respectable.

Second baseman Willie Bloomquist added a two-run triple in the eighth and finished his day 2-for-3, also adding a double.

"I'm trying to get my pitch more," Bloomquist said. "I just have to solidify my plan of attack out at the plate."

After an extended stay in bigleague camp, Bloomquist still is adjusting to the pitching at the Class-A level.

"(In the main camp), the pitchers are trained to be around the plate," Bloomquist said. "Where hear a guy can throw one way high and another outside and then bust you inside three times. It's tough to get used to."

JetHawks hot and cold

With the heat on and more cuts looming, several players performed at the plate on Tuesday.

Outfielder Aaron Shrewsbury hit a two-run homer to center field in the ninth, his first extra-base hit in 14 spring at-bats.

Also breaking out of a recent slump was Juan Silvestre, who finished 2-for-4 with a leadoff home run, also in the ninth.

Silvestre struck out in his other two at bats, though, and widely is recognized for both his power and strikeout tendency in the organization.

Center fielder P.J. Williams also has struggled of late, but grabbed a run-scoring double in the eighth inning.

Uploaded March 29, 2000