JetHawks score, but lose

Despite snapping its scoreless-inning drought with a run in the bottom of the third, Lancaster was mathematically eliminated from the first-half title chase

By JON MICHAELS
Valley Press Staff Writer

The bad news, however, was that was about all Lancaster could manage as it fell 6-2 to visiting Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday night in front of 2,606 fans at The Hangar.

The loss, which was Lancaster's eighth in its last 11 games, also mathematically eliminated the JetHawks from the first-half title chase. Lancaster fell 12 1/2 games behind the Quakes with 12 games to go.

The Quakes - winners of eight straight - jumped on the scoreboard first when third baseman Kevin Eberwein doubled to the right-center gap to score Alex Pelaez and Graham Koonce as Rancho took a 2-0 lead in the third inning.

Given Lancaster's scoring woes, the lead was enough cushion for the surging Quakes (33-26).

The JetHawks snapped their scoreless drought in the bottom of the third inning when Ricky Magdaleno's single up the middle plated Scott Maynard to cut the lead to 2-1.

Over the scoreless span, the JetHawks left 18 runners on base, dating back to the fifth inning of Friday night's loss to the Quakes.

"We haven't gotten any type of breaks and when things go bad, they go really bad for us," Lancaster manager Darrin Garner said. "It's frustrating as a team and we just have to continue to battle."

Maynard led off the third with a sharp single that glanced off shortstop Matt Halloran's glove. Leadoff hitter Jermaine Clark grounded out to first, advancing Maynard into scoring position and setting up Magdaleno's RBI single.

Magdaleno was the lone bright spot for Lancaster, going 4-for-5.

The Southern Division-leading Quakes added to their lead in the fourth inning off starter Brandon Parker. Taking advantage of a passed ball on a strikeout to Darren Bush to lead off the inning, Pelaez reached base after being hit by a pitch.

One out later, Andy Wilson's triple to left-center plated both runners. Wilson scored moments later on a Parker wild pitch to increase Rancho's lead to 5-1.

"This is how it's been the whole season so far for us," Garner said. "You hate to say it, but it's true. Other teams make great plays against us in situations where we should score runs. . . It seems to go the opposite way for us."

Parker (6-4) lasted only four innings and allowed three hits, five runs - three earned - and struck out six batters in his second shortest stint of the season.

Parker, who has been the JetHawks' most consistent starter this season, hasn't registered a win since May 12 at Lake Elsinore. In his last four starts, he has lost twice and has had two no-decisions.

Koonce padded the Quakes' lead to 6-1 in the seventh inning, blasting his seventh home run of the season deep over the wall in rightcenter. It was Koonce's third homer off Lancaster this season. Koonce added three walks and a single.

While the offense was busy steadily increasing its lead, Rancho's pitching was equally dominating.

Starter John Foran improved to 7-3 with five solid innings. He allowed one run on six hits and struck out three.

The JetHawks were unable to take advantage of their best scoring opportunity when Greg Connors tapped back to the mound with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Connors left five runners on base in the game.