Daunting task ahead for 'Hawks on road

By Ed Harbour
Valley Press Staff Writer

A first-half title, a trio of allstars, hosting next year's California and Carolina Leagues all-star game, and now a franchise-record 13-game winning streak all has become a part of a season to remember.

"These guys have all worked their (tails) off to get here," JetHawks manager Mark Parent said. "Through it all, they've hung in there and gotten the job done."

Parent's squad has battled through key injuries almost from the start, and on its way, captured the JetHawks first-ever title.

The club's 13-game winning streak shattered the old mark of eight and places the team in a comfortable position as it leaves today for a six-game road swing into Northern California. Those 13 wins, though, are a long way from the league record of 26 by Stockton in 1947. To hit that mark - they are halfway there - they'll need to run the table this week and then some.

And the 13 games is the longest winning streak in the league dating back to last August when the High Desert Mavericks rolled off a lucky 13 of their own.

The JetHawks open the trip with three games at Mudville, the current top team in the North Division, before closing out with three games at San Jose - the cellar dweller in the north, 11 games back of the Nine.

In the Nine, the JetHawks draw the top-pitching club in the North with a team earned-run average of 4.03, second in the league to San Bernardino's 3.70. As a team, Mudville has hurled five shutouts, also second in the league and should present a formidable task to Lancaster continuing its win streak.

"They're a tough club," Parent said of Mudville. "Just about every team in this league is tough. There really aren't any pushovers."

Earlier this year, the JetHawks took 2-of-3 from Mudville at Billy Hebert Field, with the final two contests being one-run affairs.

The closest the league gets to a pushover in the second half is San Jose.

Through the first 19 games, the Giants are a paltry 2-17, which easily qualifies them for pushover status.

San Jose is the second-worstpitching club with an ERA of 5.03. On paper, one assumes Lancaster - the best hitting team in the league - should breeze through San Jose.

But I think you know what happens when you assume.

Even after a 6-0 road swing, the team would have to win seven more, just to match Stockton's record.

To get that far, the club would have to take two at Rancho Cucamonga, two at home against San Bernardino and three at home against Mudville.

And if none of that struck you as daunting, this week also is the all-star break for the Mariners' Class-AA and Class-AAA teams. With promotions, releases and general shuffling potentially to be conducted this week, the JetHawks may have to move on without your favorite superstar.

Think second baseman Willie Bloomquist and his .375 average or Juan Silvestre and his 22 home runs and 100 RBI might be around much longer?

With a couple of moves, promotions for either are not out of the question.

For the members of that 1947 Stockton club, their record, for the time being, looks safe.

If there's a club to break it, it just might be Parent's 'Hawks.

Uploaded July 13, 2000