Lancaster's last three games against Modesto were all tense, one-run games. Their last 12 games have been against the A's, San Jose and Stockton, the teams with the top three records in the Cal League.
All of a sudden, the Blaze's 15-35 record looked pretty enticing.
"You have to take advantage," Lancaster manager Dave Brundage said. "These three games right here, we have a chance to gain some ground. We can't afford to lose ground."
The JetHawks took advantage, pummeling Bakersfield 10-1 in front of a holiday crowd of 3,470 at The Hangar Monday night.
Lancaster (25-27) won its second-straight and took another step towards the .500 mark, and more importantly, first place. They began the day 3½ back of first-place Rancho Cucamonga.
The JetHawks have won four of their last six games.
"We just need to go out there and play like we've been playing," Jason Cook said. "We've got to keep the confidence rolling."
Lancaster pounded out 14 hits and Marino Santana won for the first time since April 26.
The JetHawks sent nine batters to the plate in the fifth, with five scoring.
Mike Lanza led off with a bloop singe and went to second on Scott Steinmann's first professional hit, an infield single.
That brought up one of the two new JetHawks, second baseman Adonis Harrison. Harrison arrived in Lancaster just hours before the game and flew out in his first atbat.
But he singled to left field this time, and the ball went right under left fielder Tony Sheffield's glove for an error.
As the ball rolled to the wall, Lanza, Steinmann and Harrison all scored, making it 4-1.
"That was the hit right there," Brundage said. "It's nice to see the young guys step in and be able to contribute right off the bat."
Marcus Sturdivant struck out and was then kicked out by home plate umpire John Creek for arguing the call.
Shane Monahan walked, stole second, and one out later scored on a single by Jesus Marquez, who went to second on the throw home.
Jason Cook singled, and James Clifford followed with a single to right that drove in Monahan and increased the lead to 6-1.
The JetHawks singled six times in the rally.
Lancaster blew the game open against reliever Igor Oropeza in the sixth.
Lanza and Steinmann had back-to-back singles for the second-straight inning, and Harrison struck out.
Luis Figueroa, who arrived with Harrison from extended spring training and was inserted into the lineup after Sturdivant's ejection, hit an infield single.
Lanza scored when Blaze second baseman Mauricio Gonzalez dropped a force attempt at second on Figueroa's hit. Steinmann and Figueroa both moved up on a wild pitch and Steinmann scored on Monahan's sacrifice fly, making it 8-1.
After Jose Cruz Jr. walked, Marquez doubled to center field, driving in Lancaster's ninth and 10th runs.
The Blaze's first run was provided by Doug Carroll, who's on loan from Seattle, on a home run to right field in the first.
The JetHawks tied the game in the second when Clifford doubled home Cook.
After giving up the homer to Carroll, Santana (3-5) allowed two hits over the next six innings.
He struck out seven and walked two in breaking a personal threegame losing streak.
Bakersfield's Chris Paxton, an ex-Palmdale High standout, went 0-for-2 with a walk in his Valley professional debut.