JetHawks find their second wind after day of rest

As the temperatures cooled, Lancaster's offense heated up in the first game of a three-game set in Stockton

For the first time since they left Lancaster 12 days ago, the JetHawks weren't bombarded by oppressive game-time temperatures, as the cool breezes in Stockton made Tuesday's game comfortable.

However, Lancaster's offense put the heat on the Ports with 16 hits, cruising to a 14-0 victory before 728 fans at Billy Hebert Field.

The shutout, the JetHawks' eighth of the season, ended a three-game losing streak for Lancaster and improved the team's record on the current 13-game road trip to 4-7, with two games remaining.

``It was real comfortable out here tonight,'' Chris Dean said. ``It was perfect.''

While the more moderate temperatures Tuesday probably played a small part in the win, it was no coincidence that the JetHawks' only off day on the brutal road trip was Monday.

Lancaster appeared much more rested than at any time during the trip, which has already taken the team to San Jose, Lake Elsinore and Modesto.

``I'm not usually a guy who likes extra days in between starts,'' starter Jason Bond said. ``I like to start ever five days. But the off day definitely seemed to help the team. Everybody came out ready to play.''

While the JetHawks' offensive outpouring was the most impressive aspect of Tuesday's game, Bond's performance can't be overlooked.

The left-hander held the Ports scoreless on three hits and one walk through the first six innings of the game.

Stockton finally touched Bond (7-3) for two hits and a walk to load the bases in the seventh inning, but Bond got Kelly Phair to ground out to second base to preserve the shutout.

By then, Bond, who left after the seventh with nine strikeouts, already had a 14-run cushion to work with.

``Bond pitched a great game,'' Lancaster manager Rick Burleson said. ``He worked really quickly and did a good job of shutting them down. It was nice to jump out to that lead and have him hold on to it like he did.''

Early on, it looked like the JetHawks' offensive struggles might continue. Lancaster loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first on a single, a walk and a hit batter.

Only one of those runners, Giomar Guevara, crossed the plate. Jason Regan and Jayson Bass struck out, before Luis Tinoco's two-out single drove in the first run of the game.

Cirilo Cruz Jr., attempting to score from second base, was thrown out at home plate to end the inning.

The score stayed 1-0 until Tinoco singled in Chris Dean in the top of the third. Ramon Vazquez then singled in Regan before Bass scored on a throwing error to make the score 4-0.

``When we got the first four runs, everybody started to relax and play like they're capable of,'' Burleson said.

Dean's two-run home run highlighted the three-run fourth, while Cruz drove in two in the fifth with a single. Cruz also picked up his first triple of the season in the sixth, capping the three-run sixth inning to help Lancaster turn the game into a laugher.

``It was real good for us to come in here and put a lot of runs on the board and come away with a win in the first game of this series,'' Dean said.

Five JetHawks had at least two hits in the game, led by Cruz and Tinoco. Cruz went 3-for-4 with a run scored and four RBI, while Tinoco went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI.

``Now I'd like to see us come back tomorrow and do the same thing,'' Burleson said. ``I'm not talking about scoring 14 runs, but playing good solid baseball. I'd like to see some consistency. We won the first game in Modesto, then (the A's) came back and jumped out to a lead and we went in the tank, well really for three games.''