'Hawks rally for 9-4 win

The JetHawks, however, are not the same team they were at the beginning of July.

They now have a bullpen, with pitchers who have more defined roles, and a batting lineup that is among the best in the California League.

That is probably why the JetHawks still managed to pull off a 9-4 victory against Visalia despite falling behind early in the game with a quick exit by starter Doug Slaten.

Billy Martin, Jaime Sykes and Robbie Hammock were the names behind Lancaster's 47th victory of the season combining for six runs scored and seven hits.

Slaten lasted three innings, giving up four runs on nine hits in the no decision.

The left-hander looked uneasy in attempting to get his second win since May 15, and the bullpen was warming up by the third inning.

"Slaten just didn't have the command we were used to seeing," JetHawks manager Scott Coolbaugh said. "We took him out to keep damage to a minimum and get a win."

Still, who can blame Slaten for being a little nervous.

In his two starts against Visalia, he has given up 11 runs and 15 hits in only 4 2/3 innings.

Slaten has been a no-show to the Lancaster pitching renaissance in the last month, and in 22 starts this year, he has given up a combined 89 hits and 44 runs in the first three innings.

Lancaster reliever Brian Matzenbacher ended the Visalia hitting spree, scattering four hits in his 5 1/3 innings of work to get the win.

He struck out seven to preserve the win.

"Brian was the difference for us tonight," Coolbaugh said. "He couldn't have pitched any better than he did."

Luckily for the JetHawks, Oaks' starter Michael Ziegler also struggled.

He only lasted four innings, giving up six runs and was unable to stop Lancaster from getting all nine batters onto the bases by the third inning.

Lancaster got off to a fast start in the first when Jaime Sykes hit a 2-0 pitch over the right-center field wall for his third home run of the year.

Hitting leadoff is something new for Sykes, who has seen much of the season with Lancaster at the bottom of the order.

"It's different hitting at the top. There's more responsibility and it's your job to give the guys behind you more confidence," Sykes said. "I just try to set the tempo when I'm up."

Sykes' home run in the first was his second home run in as many games.

A pair of run-scoring singles by Martin and Brian Gordon gave Lancaster the early lead.

Visalia reclaimed the lead in the third, when Slaten gave up his second home run of the night to Steve Jackson.

Jeff Waldron's two-run double in the third, however, gave the JetHawks the win.

Rico Montas capped off the night for Lancaster with a three-run home run to right field.

"It was a good win for us and a couple guys really showed what they're capable of doing," Coolbaugh said.

Notes: Sykes has three doubles in the last three games... With its loss Monday, Visalia will finish below .500 on the road this season... Opponents are hitting .350 against Slaten at the Hangar this year... Lancaster has 13 home games left in the regular season... J.D Closser has hit in 14 of the last 16 games... Billy Martin leads Cal League with 92 runs driven in.

Uploaded August 7, 2001