Turning it around

Win lifts JetHawks out of basement

But the JetHawks aren't complaining, especially after Martin has nights like he did Friday. Martin hit two home runs and drove in six runs - giving him 100 on the season - as the JetHawks beat Rancho Cucamonga, 12-7. The win moves the JetHawks out of the Cal League's South Division basement.

"One hundred, that's a big number, that's a lot of RBIs," Martin said. "But that's because I've been in the middle of the lineup and had a lot of guys get on base in front of me. A hundred RBIs, that's really a team thing."

Martin tied the game at three with a bases-empty home run in the third inning, then ended any suspense in the fifth with his third grand slam of the season, giving the JetHawks an eight-run lead.

Martin finished with two home runs, a single, a sacrifice fly, two runs scored and six runs batted in, matching the JetHawks' season high and setting a personal career high.

"He's the type of individual that can carry a club," JetHawks manager Scott Coolbaugh said. "That's why he's been so valuable to us all year."

The victory - the second blowout win over the Quakes in as many days - moved the JetHawks out of last place in the Cal League's South Division for the first time in the season's second half. The JetHawks have won five of their last six games, improving to 21-26 in the second half, half a game ahead of the Quakes (21-27). Both teams trail High Desert for the division's final playoff spot, which is based on overall record.

"Right now, this is a fun place to be," Martin said. "We're playing a lot better lately. Hopefully we can make a little run."

In the first two games of this four-game series, the JetHawks have scored 23 runs on 34 hits, including five home runs and 13 extra-base hits. They've outscored the Quakes by 15 runs.

The JetHawks hadn't reached double digits in two consecutive games since the season's opening series, when they did it three consecutive times against San Jose. The JetHawks scored 41 runs in those three games.

Thursday night, Scott Barber benefited from the Lancaster offense. Friday, Hatuey Mendoza took advantage. After allowing three runs on four hits in the first inning, Mendoza settled down, allowing just one hit over the next four innings. Mike O'Keefe hit a two-run home-run off Mendoza in the sixth, but by that time, the JetHawks' lead made the runs inconsequential.

"I think I was more aggressive (after the first inning)," Mendoza said. "Sometimes they hit the ball hard, but they went right to guys. I felt a lot better the last three innings than the first three innings."

Mendoza (7-5) allowed five runs, two earned, on eight hits. He walked two batters and struck out five.

The JetHawks took three innings to give Mendoza the lead. Catcher J.D. Closser singled home a run in the first, and second baseman Matt Kata used a bloop double to drive in a run in the second. Martin tied the game with his inning-opening homer in the third, then Ryan Jones added a two-run home run.

Quakes starter Wes Crawford (4-6) allowed seven runs, six earned in 3 innings and took the loss.

The JetHawks scored runs in each of the first six innings. Closser singled in his first two at-bats, and had hit safely in seven consecutive at bats before striking out in the fourth inning.

"You hear about guys reaching base 12 straight times, and you don't know what that feels like," Closser said. "It's pretty special. It's hard to explain. I just saw the ball, I saw every pitch I could hit and I hit them and they found the hole."

Closser's hot bat has given Martin protection. The result? Twenty-three runs in two games.

Uploaded August 11 2001