Errors come like a Stampede for Lancaster

Friday night, the San Bernardino Stampede made it three blowouts in 24 games.

The Stampede scored a run in the first and four more in the second. They capitalized on five Lancaster errors to score eight unearned runs, and beat the JetHawks, 11-3.

"Consistently this month we've played pretty well," JetHawks first baseman Billy Martin said. "It's really the first time we've been boat-raced this month."

After JetHawks starter Brandon Webb struck out Alex Fernandez to open the second inning, five of the Stampede's next seven hitters reached base safely, four on singles, one on a double and one on third baseman Corey Myers' error.

The Stampede converted the inning into four runs, two earned, and the Stampede held a commanding 5-0 lead. They scored five more unearned runs in the fifth inning.

Stampede starter Danny Delgado, the weak link in the Stampede's dominant pitching staff, dominated the JetHawks. Delgado's ERA (5.32) and record (2-7) entering the game were the worst on San Bernardino's rotation, but you wouldn't have known that watching him Friday.

He retired the first nine batters he faced, and allowed three runs on four hits in seven innings. He struck out three, walked one and hit one batter, putting together his best start of the season.

He located his fastball inside, and the JetHawks were in front of his breaking ball for most of the night, leading to 10 fly-ball outs.

"We missed some pitches, and they made plays on balls we hit hard," Martin said.

Jamal Strong made two spectacular defensive plays, robbing Martin of a home run in the second inning and Jamie Sykes of a home run in the ninth.

Poor pitching and poor defense doomed the JetHawks. Myers and shortstop Jason Williams each committed two errors, leading to eight unearned runs. Reliever Mike Garber added an inconsequential error.

The errors improve Webb's statistical performance - he allowed three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings - but they don't hide the fact that Webb had one of his worst starts. He faced 28 batters, and 13 of them reached on a base hit, a walk or a hit-by-pitch. His out pitch, a sinkerball that can be devastating, didn't sink.

Webb (3-9) allowed 11 hits, one walk and one hit batsman, and struck out three. He hasn't won since May 27, although he has often pitched effectively during the two months since.

"It's his first bad outing in a long time," Coolbaugh said. "It's a shame we weren't able to get some runs and get him a win in one of those other starts."

Stampede catcher Ryan Christianson was the only San Bernardino starter to fail to get a hit. After ending the fifth inning with a groundout, his fourth out of the game, he destroyed the water fountain in The Hangar's visitors dugout. Stampede manager Daren Brown removed Christianson from the game.

Lancaster JetHawks General Manager Kevin Younkin said the team will bill the Stampede for the damage, which he estimates at $1,200.

"There's water dripping everywhere," Younkin said.

The JetHawks scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Billy Martin blooped a single to left to drive in the third-inning run, and Jason Williams and Luis Terrero hit bases-empty home runs.

"I'm still happy with the way we've been playing," Coolbaugh said. "We're going to have some games like this. Hopefully, we're past this tonight and we'll move on tomorrow."

Uploaded July 28, 2001