Control problems drop JetHawks five behind Giants

San Bernardino scored once in the eighth to break a 3-3 tie

San Bernardino scored only one run against the Lancaster JetHawks in the top of the eighth inning Thursday. But that was enough to end the JetHawks' three-game winning streak with a 4-3 loss before 3,081 fans at The Hangar.

Lancaster, which had won nine of its last 11 coming into Thursday, fell five games behind San Jose in the race for the Valley Division's first-half title. The Giants picked up a 3-2 victory at High Desert.

Lancaster, which has lost eight of the 12 one-run games it has been involved in this season, let Thursday's game slip away with four consecutive walks in the eighth inning.

Jeff Auterson produced the game-winning RBI when he drew a bases-loaded walk off Lancaster reliever Albert Derenches.

Cam Smith (0-1), who made his first appearance for the JetHawks after starting the season at Class AA Orlando, was responsible for the decisive run. He relieved Brian Fuentes to start the eighth inning with the score tied 3-3. Smith, who had not pitched in a game in about a month, struck out the first batter he faced on six pitches.

Unfortunately, his next 13 pitches weren't as effective. He walked Nick Leach on seven pitches and Casey Snow on six, two of which were recorded as wild pitches.

"It was a tough situation for Smith, because he hadn't pitched in a long time," JetHawks manager Rick Burleson said. "But as (pitching coach Jim) Slaton said, he asked to pitch, and he's here to pitch."

After the second walk, Smith gave way to Derenches, who walked Luke Allen on six pitches to load the bases. Derenches then took Auterson to a full count before losing him to another walk - this time forcing home Leach with the winning run.

Derenches held the deficit to one run by getting Ricky Bell and Will McCrotty to foul out, but the damage was done.

Even though the game may have been lost in the eighth inning, San Bernardino had to withstand a furious charge from the JetHawks in the bottom of the ninth.

Pinch-hitter Adonis Harrison singled to left field with one out to start the rally. Cirilo Cruz followed with what appeared to be a base hit to right, but Allen made a sliding catch.

"The way he cradled the ball and his arms came (back up), I thought it was a trap," Burleson said. "But the umpire was on top of the play and he told me he saw him make the catch adamantly."

After the play, all Allen had to do to end the game was throw to first base to double off Harrison.

The double play occurred with Brendan Kingman in the on-deck circle. Kingman, the league's leading hitter, had driven in all three of Lancaster's runs earlier in the game.

"If every time we lose we have a chance to win, like we did tonight and (Saturday against Bakersfield), I'll take our chances," Burleson said.

Matt Montgomery picked up his eighth save by pitching the scoreless ninth. Craig Taczy (4-1) received the win with three scoreless innings of relief.

Kingman gave the JetHawks a 1-0 lead with two outs in the first when he singled in Joel Ramirez, who had doubled earlier in the frame. But San Bernardino tied the game and took its first lead in the three-game series by scoring solo runs in the second, third and fourth innings.

Lancaster waited until the bottom of the fifth to respond, and once again, Kingman was behind the rally with a two-run double.