'Hawks win streak ended by Modesto

That's why JetHawks manager Scott Coolbaugh never considered using Gordon, fresh off the disabled list, as the team's DH Saturday night. And with an out in the ninth inning, the game tied at three and a Modesto runner on second base, the right-fielder dropped a fly ball near the foul line.

The A's used the error to jump-start a five-run ninth inning. Matt Howe hit a grand slam, his second home run of the game, and the A's snapped Lancaster's four-game winning streak, 8-4.

Modesto rallied in the ninth against Ron Garber and Hatuey Mendoza, snapping a 12-inning scoreless streak by Lancaster's bullpen.

Still, the loss had encouraging points for the JetHawks, the biggest being Matt Kata's bases-empty home run in the eighth inning to tie the game at three. After limping through the final innings most of the season, the JetHawks showed late life for the second time in as many days.

Friday night, the JetHawks scored a run in the ninth to force extra innings, then Kata won the game with a 12th-inning, run-scoring single. Entering that game, the JetHawks were 1-47 when trailing after seven innings.

As usual, the JetHawks wasted a strong start from Brandon Webb. If you've been following the 22-year-old's season, that shouldn't be news to you.

Over his last seven starts, Webb has a 2.96 ERA. He has gone at least six innings each start, and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of those starts. And he hasn't won since May 27.

Saturday, he allowed three runs in six innings and received a no decision. He struck out eight and walked one.

The story was the same as usual. He pitched well, but not spectacular. He left two pitches up, one to Howe and one to Sosa. Howe hit a bases-empty home run in the second, his first of two, and Sosa hit a two-run home run in the fourth.

Howe finished 2-for-3 with two home runs, five runs batted in and three runs scored. He walked once, too.

Sosa finished 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI.

Garber, brought in to pitch the ninth inning, recorded just one out, and it was on a sacrifice. He allowed two hits and a walk. He was lifted with the bases loaded and one run already in.

Mendoza relieved Garber to face Howe. He worked the count to 2-2, then allowed the grand slam.

Garber (0-1) allowed four runs, three earned, to pick up the loss. Mendoza allowed the inning's final run.

Corey Miller (2-4) allowed one run on two hits over three innings to earn the win. The JetHawks scored a run off Modesto reliever Derell McCall in the ninth.

Notes
Gordon, on the disabled list with tendinitis in his knee since June 28, was activated just before Saturday's game. The Diamondbacks released outfielder Steve Woodward to make room for Gordon on the roster.

Outfielder Kevan Burns, disabled with a herniated disc in his back, was sent to the Diamondbacks' spring training facility in Tucson to continue his rehab. He's expected back in Lancaster in mid-August.

Uploaded July 23, 2001