JetHawks, Ports live up to pitcher's duel

Stark definitely seemed to win that battle. But unfortunately for the JetHawks, that didn't mean winning the war, as they fell 2-1 in the second game of a threegame series.

Peterson, who was the Brewers' No. 1 pick out of Stanford in the 1997 June draft and is rated the organization's No. 7 prospect by Baseball America, seemed to labor. He allowed only four hits and two walks and hit a batter. But he made 96 pitches and struggled with his fastball in his five shutout innings of work.

On the other hand, Stark, who is rated the Mariners' No. 5 prospect, seemed to be sharper. He needed only 83 pitches during his first six innings and allowed only two runners to reach second base during that time.

But things fell apart for Stark in the top of the seventh inning. He allowed back-to-back singles to Jeff Alfano and Robert Darula to lead off the inning, and Miguel Rodriguez them up a base with a sacrifice bunt.

Greg Schaub then sent a ground ball to Lancaster shortstop Ramon Vazquez, plating Alfano. Darula also scored on the play, when Vazquez tried to throw him out at third base. Vazquez's throw sailed over the head of Jason Regan, allowing Darula to score easily.

That play chased Stark (1-2), who took the loss despite giving up only one earned run on five hits and two walks.

Lancaster tried to rally in the ninth inning, when Anton French tripled to right-center field. He scored two batters later on Vazquez's ground ball to second.

Luis Tinoco then sent a twoout shot to the gap in left-center field, but Stockton left fielder Chris Walther made a nice running grab to end the game.
Still waiting

Pitcher Kevin Gryboski is still looking for his first victory as a JetHawk. Gryboski, who went 0-7 with a 9.89 ERA last year, is still winless after 25 games, including 16 starts.

Gryboski made his first start of 1998 Saturday and pitched well enough to receive his first victory, allowing only one unearned run on four hits and no walks. He left after the fifth inning with a 2-1 lead. That advantage was stretched to 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth by Regan's two-run home run.

But Schaub's three-run homer in the top of the seventh off reliever Kyle Kennison tied the game and removed Gryboski as the pitcher of record.

Lancaster came back to win on Brendan Kingman's ninth inning grand slam.

"It would have been nice to get the W," Gryboski said. "But as far as I'm concerned, its more important that the team got the win."
Joining the team

After spending three weeks in extended spring training, lefthander Brian Fuentes finally arrived in Lancaster. Fuentes, who is rated the No. 8 prospect in the Mariners' organization by Baseball America, missed most of spring training with a sore arm and stayed behind in Peoria, Ariz., once the JetHawks broke camp.

Now that he's in Lancaster, Fuentes should move into Brett Hinchliffe's spot in the starting rotation. Hinchliffe made his last rehabilitation start with Lancaster Friday before moving up to Class AAA Tacoma.

Fuentes is expected to start Friday's game at Visalia. He pitched in Wisconsin last season, going 6-7 with a 3.56 ERA. His unusual delivery helped him strike out 153 batters in 118 2/3 innings.