Streak reaches 11 as Chen blasts 'Hawks

Chin-Feng Chen hit two home runs as San Bernardino sent Lancaster to its franchise-record 11th straight loss

By JON MICHAELS
Valley Press Staff Writer

The mismatch was apparent as the Stampede got two home runs and four RBI from Chin-Feng Chen in an 8-4 win over Lancaster, the JetHawks' franchise-worst 11th straight setback.

The streak broke Lancaster's previous 10-game losing streak set from May 7-16, 1996.

"It hurts me, it hurts everybody, especially the fans," Lancaster manager Darrin Garner said. "Who wants to go to a ball game and know your team is going to lose? It gets really tough."

Things looked bleak for Lancaster (20-45) from the beginning, with Stampede ace Randey Dorame on the hill sporting a California League-best 1.79 ERA.

Though the JetHawks were able to find a chink in Dorame's armor, the defense collapsed in a disastrous sixth inning in front of 2,535 fans at the Hangar.

With the score tied 3-3 in the sixth inning, the Stampede (38-27) loaded the bases against Lancaster starter Greg Wooten on a walk, a single and a hit batter.

Ismael Gallo followed with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Chen. After the throw from the outfield, third baseman Cirilo Cruz tried to nail the runner going to second base, but instead threw the ball into right field, which allowed Rob Gorr to score.

Nick Theodorou advanced to third on the overthrow and scored moments later when Brett Illig's single made the score 6-3.

The Stampede added to its lead in the seventh, as Chen smashed his second two-run homer of the game over the right-center field wall for an 8-3 lead. It was Chen's 12th homer of the season, tying him for third in the league.

"I think I'm more tired than I was playing amateur baseball," the Taiwanese Chen said through his personal interpreter. "But I'm adjusting very well. I'm getting used to baseball in America."

The lead was more than enough for Dorame (7-2), who went seven innings, and allowed two earned runs.

Lancaster jumped on Dorame early, as Harvey Hargrove opened the game with a double to left field, and scored on a deep sacrifice fly by Ricky Magdaleno.

The Stampede took a brief 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when Chen connected for his first homer of the game.

But in the bottom of the inning, the JetHawks regained a bit of momentum, opening the frame with Magdaleno's single, an RBI-double by Greg Connors and a single by Mike Marchiano. Connors scored the go-ahead run on a double play grounder by Rafael Lopez.

The Stampede knotted the score at 3 apiece in the fifth on an RBI double by John Hernandez, which scored Eric Riggs.