JetHawks get help but don't use it

JetHawks players got to see major leaguers Freddy Garcia and Edgar Martinez in a loss to San Jose.

PEORIA, Ariz. - Manager Mark Parent's Lancaster club some help from a pair of Major Leaguers Friday in starting pitcher Freddy Garcia and designated hitter Edgar Martinez.

But that top level help didn't translate into a win. Lancaster lost to San Jose, 8-6.

"We got some offense and the defense looked really good as well," hitting coach Dana Williams said. "Once that pitching comes around for us we shouldn't do too bad.

"We're going to have a good little squad here."

Garcia dominated his Class-A counterparts through five innings as he scattered two hits and one run while striking out nine.

In the sixth though, San Jose finally caught up to the fastball and tagged Garcia for three more runs and ended his day.

"I understand the decision (to pitch Garcia)," Lancaster pitching coach Scott Budner said. "It's just a little less work for our kids."

Adding to the irregularities of the game were Martinez's at bats.

Seattle's DH was allowed to lead-off the second through sixth innings and finished 1-for-4.

"I think that set the rhythm off for our guys," Williams said. "They kept battling though.

"We were down and came back."

In the bottom of the sixth, Lancaster roared back with six runs of its own on bookend three run homers from catcher Scott Maynard and outfielder Juan Silvestre.

"The pitcher was struggling with his location and the catcher told him to be aggressive," Maynard said. "It just so happens he was aggressive down the middle."

Maynard credits his recent success to his position as the starting catcher in Lancaster.

"My stroke's coming right along," Maynard said of his new position. "I'm really excited about coming to Lancaster and playing every day.

"Now I can go out and (go hitless) and I don't have to sit on it for a week. Every day is a new game and I'll get to see all the pitchers in the league and know them."

The 6-5 lead Lancaster had built would be short-lived though.

In the top of the seventh, the Giants countered with a three-run shot of their own courtesy of shortstop Joe Jester to cap off another four-run inning and to take the 9-6 lead.

After giving up those eight runs the Lanascter group was visibly drained and retaliated with consecutive three up, three down innings to close out the contest.

"We've got to go and teach these guys that when the wind is blowing out at the Hangar that they're never out of a game," Williams said. "Anybody that goes to Lancaster this year we're going to have to drill into their heads that they're never out of a ballgame."
JetHawks hot and cold

Silvestre was able to break out of his recent slump with a 2-for-3 performance that included his three-run home run.

The outfielder is widely recognized in the organization for his power and is considered to be an exciting player to watch.

"Silvestre is going to get his share of hits like that," Williams said.

Outfielder P.J. Willams is continuing to experience a frustrating spring.

The speedy Williams went 1-for-3 Friday but was caught stealing after failing to pick up the sign on the first pitch only to get a late jump the second time.

"Some of our guys made some mistakes today," Parent said, "But we'll learn from those and get better by the time we come into town."

Uploaded March 27, 2000