By CHRIS BRANAM
Staff Writer
MODESTO - After a one-game reprieve, the Modesto A's went back to playing like a first-place team Saturday night.
The Lancaster JetHawks' miserable May continues.
The A's beat the JetHawks 5-2 in front of 1,979 fans at John Thurman Field, handing Lancaster its 15th loss in 18 games this month.
"We didn't swing the bats very well," JetHawks manager Dave Brundage said. "We made some easy outs today. We're making easy outs and letting pitchers get into a rhythm."
Lancaster (19-24) remained in last place in the California League's Southern Division after spending most of April in first.
Not a peep was uttered in the JetHawks' locker room after the game.
"People aren't too happy," outfielder Shane Monahan said.
Despite winning 2-1 Friday night, Lancaster managed four hits.
They only got three Saturday.
Monahan offered his opinion on the JetHawks' continuing slump: "It's key hits in key situations. It's just the little things like that right now."
Modesto starter Steve Lemke (2-2) gave up two hits, and they both went for extra bases.
James Clifford hit his first double of the season in the second, and Luis Molina ripped a grounder down the left-field line in the fifth, Lemke's last inning.
Clifford came around to score in the second on Jason Cook's RBI groundout, making it 1-0.
The JetHawks scored their other run off Lemke in the third, when Marcus Sturdivant walked, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Monahan's sacrifice fly.
But that was all the offense Lancaster would get against Lemke, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander.
He gave up two earned runs in five innings and struck out five in his second start of the season.
"That was one of those games where it didn't feel like the energy level was there," Brundage said.
Most of Modesto's offense was provided by Miguel Tejada and Jeff D'Amico, who both hit home runs.
Tejada's two-run homer down the left-field line off Lancaster starter Chris Beck (4-3) tied the game at two. It was his ninth of the season.
Tejada's homer came after Clifford let a ground ball hit by Juan Dilone go through his legs for a two-base error.
Beck lost his third-straight decision despite giving up three hits and two earned runs in five innings. His control was spotty, though. He walked five.
D'Amico's drive over the centerfield fence came in the sixth off reliever Tim Trawick, and it extended the A's lead to 4-2.
The A's also added their fifth run in the sixth when Trawick's wild pitch scored Randy Ortega.
Modesto's Juan Perez dominated the JetHawks in relief. He allowed one hit - a ninth-inning single by Jesus Marquez - and earned his second save of the season.
Jose Cruz Jr., who sat out the second game of Thursday's doubleheader in Stockton and the first game of the series Friday, was back in the lineup Saturday, albeit as a designated hitter. Cruz is still being bothered by a sore groin.
Another injured JetHawk was still unable to play, though. First baseman Shawn Buhner has an ingrown toe-nail on the big toe of his right foot that has become so swollen that Buhner can't fit his foot into a shoe.
Buhner hasn't played since Wednesday and he said he may have to have surgery on the toe next week.