First baseman Shawn Buhner has been out of action since May 15 with an infected toe.
By CHRIS BRANAM
Staff Writer
LANCASTER - Thanks to another strong outing by a starting pitcher, the Lancaster JetHawks begin their longest homestand of the season on a winning note.
Right-hander Brett Hinchliffe limited the host Modesto A's to four hits in seven innings in the JetHawks' 4-2 victory Sunday.
After losing 14 of their first 16 games in May, the JetHawks ended up taking two-of-three from the Northern Division-leading A's (26-17).
Hinchliffe (4-3) struck out nine and walked two to end a personal three-game losing streak. His last win came at The Hangar on April 29 against San Bernardino.
He was supported by a threerun first by the JetHawks, who also got two hits from Jose Cruz Jr. and Jason Cook.
Starting in right field after primarily DHing the past two weeks, Cruz doubled and scored a run. The Mariners' first-round draft choice last year, Cruz has been hampered by a sore left groin, which he originally pulled back in mid-April.
Tom Szimanski struck out four in two innings to pick up his team-leading fifth save and first since May 6. Szimanski has saved two of the JetHawks' four wins this month.
Injury report
First baseman Shawn Buhner has been out of action since May 15 with an infected toe.
Buhner said he cut his big toe near the toenail about two weeks ago and tried to remove the nail.
But after he developed an ingrown toenail, Buhner said the pain became too much after last Wednesday's game in Stockton. The toe also swelled so much that Buhner couldn't wear a normal shoe.
Silly superstitions
It's just a coincidence, but since pitcher Clint Gould replaced Rob Worley on the JetHawks roster April 26, the JetHawks are 6-17.
"I've been reminded of that fact," Gould said last week in Stockton.
Gould may be off the hook, though. The problem may have been with Todd Niemeier.
Niemeier's father stayed in Lancaster and saw most of the JetHawks' first 18 games, in which they went 12-6.
He went back home to Evansville, Ind., but drove Todd's car back out to California last week, arriving in time for the JetHawks' series in Modesto, in which they won as many games (two) as they had in all of May.
Family support
Manager Dave Brundage had three members of his family watch the last two games in Modesto - his father, grandmother and wife.
Dennis Brundage drove from Portland, Ore., a week ago and stayed with the team on the road trip.
Today's matchup
The JetHawks and San Jose Giants begin a three-game series at The Hangar tonight at 7:15 p.m. It is the teams' first meeting since Lancaster took two-of-three at San Jose in mid-April.
Lancaster RHP Ivan Montane (2-1, 3.61) hasn't won since April 19, but he's pitched well since losing April 30 to San Bernardino.
In his last three starts, Montane has given up six earned runs while striking out 18.