By CHRIS BRANAM
Valley Press Staff Writer
SAN JOSE - Instead of breathing easier, the Lancaster JetHawks are suffocating in the heat of a playoff race.
For the third straight game, the JetHawks had a chance to move within one win of clinching a spot in the California League's postseason.
And for the third straight time, they lost. Now, they are no longer in control of their own destiny.
Coupled with the JetHawks' 10-3 loss to the last-place San Jose Giants Friday night at Municipal Stadium was Modesto's 6-0 win over Stockton.
That leaves both Lancaster and Modesto tied for the Valley Division's wild-card entry with two games left. They both have the same overall record, 73-65, and the A's also moved past the JetHawks and into second place in the division standings.
"It's frustrating as heck," catcher Jim Horner said. "Things just haven't been going our way."
High Desert clinched the second-half division title with a 4-1 win at Rancho Cucamonga.
A week ago, the JetHawks talked of meeting the Mavericks in the playoffs. Now, they might be packing the bus for Lancaster after the season ends on Sunday.
Friday's game went from good to bad to worse to tragically comic. With the Giants already leading, 8-3 in the eighth inning, JetHawks reliever Kevin Gryboski threw a wild pitch while he was trying to intentionally walk Barry Bonds Jr.
Not only did a run come in on the play, but Horner reinjured his left thumb on the pitch and had to leave the game.
"What do we have to do, win the next two?," Horner asked after the game. "It's no big deal. We've won more than one game in a row many times this year."
The JetHawks managed just one run after the second inning and with the exception of a few signs of life in the early going, looked frustrated and out of sync.
They managed just four hits and three runs off Giants starter Jeff Andra, who won his first game in six Cal League starts.
Andra was San Francisco's third-round pick in the June draft. He was pitching in his 14th professional game and entered with a 7.30 ERA.
JetHawks starter Jason Bond (5-7) struggled early with his control but only gave up one key hit - a three-run homer by Teo Prospero in the fourth.
Bond threw a lot of pitches and lasted just 5 1/3 innings. He walked five and struck out six.
Ironically, the only offensive highlights for the JetHawks were provided by Horner. He ripped a solo homer in the fifth and also hit two balls to the warning track.
In their three-game losing streak, the JetHawks have managed just 15 hits. They also committed two errors Friday night.
"We're making errors at the wrong time," Horner said. "If we play sound defense, we're fine."