JetHawks defense fails again

The JetHawks extended their streak of consecutive games with an error to six on Friday, committing two in their 7-1 loss to San Jose. They've committed 20 errors in those six games and have lost five of them. On the season, the JetHawks have committed 202 errors and are fast approaching the franchise record of 224.

"Right now, defensively we're killing ourselves," JetHawks manager Scott Coolbaugh said. "We're not making plays to help our pitcher. Usually good things don't happen after that.

"I don't know what can be done. From a work standpoint, the work they get is more than enough for young guys. I don't know if it's a lack of concentration on a daily basis or a lack of concentration on a pitch-by-pitch basis."

Second baseman Matt Kata and shortstop Rico Montas were the culprits Friday. Kata committed a key error in the fourth inning, leading to a three-run inning for the Giants. Montas' booted grounder in the seventh helped the Giants to another run.

All of this made life difficult for JetHawks starter Duaner Sanchez, who took the loss despite seven effective innings.

"Two earned runs, it's a 2-1 ballgame instead of a 7-1 blowout without the errors," Coolbaugh said. "It kind of lets the wind out of your sails."

Sanchez (2-3) allowed five runs on five hits. Three were unearned. He struck out six and walked three. Sanchez appeared locked in early. He retired the first seven batters he faced, four on strike-outs.

"I started dropping my arm a little bit after the second inning," Sanchez said. "I came back up in the fifth or sixth inning but I can't pitch like that.

"Whoever's pitching is going to battle whenever the team makes errors. All you can do is battle."

In the third, though, he tried to sneak a first-pitch fastball by Giants second baseman Edwin Maldonado and Maldonado turned on it, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead.

San Jose broke the game open with three runs the following inning. The Giants loaded the bases with a bunt single, a walk and Kata's error and Jess Allen doubled two home. Maldonado's sacrifice fly gave the Giants a four-run lead.

Jeff Allen made it 7-1 with a two-run homer off Saul Montoya in the eighth.

San Jose starter Kevin Vent (5-5) pitched one of his best games of the season. In six innings, he allowed one unearned run on five hits. He struck out seven and walked one and didn't allow a hit in Lancaster's four at bats with runners in scoring position.

The JetHawks scored their only run in the fifth with the help of two San Jose errors. Jamie Sykes doubled to left center to open the inning. San Jose catcher Guillermo Rodriguez tried to pick Sykes off second but threw the ball into center field. Sykes scored when center fielder Scoop McDowell's ensuing throw from center bounced into the stands.

San Jose's bullpen held Lancaster hitless over the last three innings.

Uploaded August 25, 2001