By CHRIS BRANAM
Valley Press Staff Writer
LANCASTER - Damaso Marte didn't pick a good day to bounce back from two bad starts.
The Lancaster JetHawks' offense took a rare night off.
The JetHawks were held to three hits in the first six innings by a struggling pitcher, and they could not muster much else in a 7-2 loss to Lake Elsinore in the finale of a four-game series Monday night at The Hangar.
Jason Stephens, a 6-foot right-hander who was tied for second in the California League in losses, won for the second time in seven decisions as the Storm captured three of four games from the JetHawks.
Stephens entered the game with a 6.23 ERA. But he managed to allow just two runs despite pitching with runners on base in four of the first five innings.
"We helped (Stephens) out of some jams by chasing pitches out of the zone," JetHawks manager Burleson said. "We've been real good about being selective, but tonight, as a team, I thought our selection was poor."
That didn't help Marte at all. He only lasted three innings in a loss at Bakersfield last week, but he was more effective against the Storm.
Marte weaved in and out of trouble in the early innings as the Storm picked up six hits by the third.
"I still don't think we've seen the best Marte yet," Burleson said. "I think the guy is capable of pitching better. He had to battle to get out of some jams."
Marte (0-3) gave up a two-out, two-strike double to Trent Durrington in the first, then struck out the next two hitters.
In the second, Lake Elsinore had three consecutive hits, including a solo homer by former major leaguer Randy Ready. But Marte picked off Justin Baughman, struck out Rich Stuart and got Dave Davalillo to pop out.
Marte even received a bit of support in the bottom of the second, when James Clifford hit his team-leading ninth homer to tie the game, 1-1.
But that tie was short-lived. Lake Elsinore's Ben Molina doubled home Randy Betten in the third, and the Storm went up 2-1.
Again, Marte was tough with men on base. He stranded Molina and Ready (who walked) by striking out Paul Failla.
Lake Elsinore took a 3-1 lead in the fifth when Durrington doubled, went to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a groundout by Molina.
Marte gave up nine hits, struck out six and walked one in seven innings.
"A lot better than in Bakersfield," Burleson said of Marte's outing.
Stephens, meanwhile, went 6 2/3 innings, walked one and struck out one.
The JetHawks finally forced the right-hander out of the game in the seventh with three consecutive two-out singles.
Burleson's aggressiveness in the third-base coach's box helped the JetHawks cut the Storm lead to one, 3-2.
He sent catcher Dusty Wathan home on Joel Ramirez's base hit up the middle, and Wathan scored ahead of center fielder Norm Hutchins' throw.
Greg Johnson relieved Stephens and got Joe Mathis to ground into a fielder's choice to end the threat.
After Johnson set down the JetHawks in order in the eighth, the Storm scored four in the ninth to break open a close game.
Rich Stuart's sixth triple of the year - which tied him for the league lead with Stockton's Chad Green - scored Baughman and highlighted the rally.
The JetHawks are off today. They begin a three-game series Wednesday against Modesto at The Hangar.