Stampede stomps JetHawks in tenth

The low point of that 2-25 June? Seven consecutive losses to the Stampede. The beginning of a 10-game losing streak to start the second half? Four losses to San Bernardino. The JetHawks have lost 12 of 13 games against the Stampede this season, and they wanted to show how much they've improved since those June woes.

The Stampede just found a new way to beat on the JetHawks, taking a few teeth in the process. After building a big lead, the Stampede pulled a rope-a-dope, allowing the JetHawks back in the game but tiring them out in the process. Then San Bernardino delivered the knockout blow with an eight-run 10th inning, securing a 17-9 victory.

The Stampede took advantage of Lancaster's depleted bullpen. With just five relievers, JetHawks manager Scott Coolbaugh needed two innings out of reliever Jamie Gann, and Gann couldn't do it. He allowed a single and two walks in the ninth before Shawn McCorkle hit a game-winning grand slam, ending any suspense the comeback created.

After the grand slam, the Stampede blew the game open with four more runs, three off Gann and one off Mike Garber.

Gann (0-1), a converted outfielder who's been pitching for just over a month, hadn't allowed an run in eight innings entering the game.

Stampede closer Julio Mateo (5-4) got the win despite blowing his third save of the season. He allowed one run on three hits and three walks in two innings. Despite the loss, the JetHawks showed refreshing fight that was missing in earlier losses to the Stampede. And they did it with a diverse offensive attack, using help to tie the game in the ninth, power to come close in the eighth and small-ball to claw back in the seventh.

Robby Hammock opened the ninth with a single to right, and Stampede right-fielder Steve Foley kicked the ball away for a two-base error. J.D. Closser singled to right, scoring Hammock and tying the game.

The JetHawks had the bases loaded with one out later that inning, but Rico Montas grounded into a 6-2-3 double play to end the threat and force extra innings.

In the eighth, Jeff Waldron and Jason Williams both hit home runs off former JetHawk Brandon Parker, Waldron's with the bases empty and Williams with one on.

In the seventh, the JetHawks scored three runs on five singles, four off Stampede starter Melqui Torres and one off reliever Danny Delgado.

Waldron had his best game of the season, batting 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBI.

The JetHawks had to erase a big deficit because starter Hatuey Mendoza struggled throughout his six innings of work, allowing nine runs, six earned, on 10 hits.

Mendoza struggled with his command from the start. He walked a batter in the first inning, then allowed three base hits and a bases-loaded walk in the second. An error by JetHawks third baseman Corey Myers helped the Stampede score three runs in the second.

The JetHawks scored two in the bottom of the inning, but the Stampede responded with three consecutive two-run innings in the fourth, fifth and sixth, building their seven-run lead.

Uploaded September 1, 2001