Blaze blast four home runs to beat JetHawks

But they still haven't figured out how to win on the road.

The Bakersfield Blaze used four home runs Sunday night to beat the JetHawks, 6-2, at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

The JetHawks have lost their last five road games. In July, they're 8-3 at home and 2-6 on the road. They've won just 15 of 44 road games all season.

"Your guess is as good as mine," JetHawks manager Scott Coolbaugh said of Lancaster's road struggles. "If I knew the answer, we'd be a lot better off.

"We've tried everything - no BP, BP, infield, no infield. For some reason, we just don't do well on the road. I don't know if it's a lack of confidence, or too much confidence, or what..."

The Blaze showed an uncharacteristic power surge to beat the JetHawks. Bakersfield is in the middle of the pack, power-wise, in the Cal League. But Albert Castillo hit a pair of two-run home runs and Matt Diaz and Frank Moore hit bases-empty homers to account for all six of Bakersfield's runs.

"You don't ever know what's going to happen," JetHawks infielder Billy Martin said. "(JetHawks starter) Duaner (Sanchez) throws hard. They put some good swings on some good fastballs. That's going to happen.

Sanchez allowed three of the four home runs, including two - Diaz's and Castillo's second - in the fourth inning, breaking a 2-2 tie. The Blaze never lost that lead.

"That put the momentum back in their favor," Coolbaugh said.

Bakersfield catcher Chairon Isenia batted 4-for-4 and scored on both of Castillo's home runs.

With star first baseman Nate Kaup sidelined with an injury, Coolbaugh felt Diaz was Bakersfield's only big power source. He didn't count on Castillo, who entered the game with just six home runs on the season.

The Blaze rattled Sanchez (0-1) for the second time in a week. He lasted just 3 innings against the Blaze last Tuesday in his JetHawks debut, allowing seven runs on eight hits. The Blaze didn't hit a home run in that game, but they must have seen lots of first-pitch fastballs, because they came out swinging Sunday.

That made the game move quickly, and, save the three home runs, Sanchez seemed to cruise. He allowed six hits - three singles and the home runs. He struck out three, walked two and balked once.

"Duaner just left some pitches up," Coolbaugh said. "A high fastball to Diaz, a high change-up to Castillo, another high pitch to Castillo. He gave up two two-run home runs and the solo shot, and that was pretty much it."

Blaze starter Chad Coward (2-2) thrived in a spot start. With scheduled starter Neal Frendling suffering an elbow injury, Coward made just his second start this season. He pitched six innings and allowed two unearned runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked none.

The JetHawks struck out 11 times, with four batters striking out twice. They managed seven hits in the game, all singles. Two Bakersfield relievers held the JetHawks hitless over the final three innings.

"I'd like to see us do better on the road," Coolbaugh said. "We've got a lot of road games coming up in August. It's definitely one of the phases we don't do well."

Uploaded July 23, 2001