Day off no help for struggling 'Hawks

By DAVE RASBACH
Valley Press Staff Writer

Although it may have been a bit far-fetched with 31 games left to play, the JetHawks were still in mathematical striking distance of the South Division wild-card playoff spot.

One of the two teams Lancaster would have to overtake is the Lake Elsinore Storm, with whom the JetHawks opened a three-game series at the Lake Elsinore Diamond.

But even with that incentive, the JetHawks didn't seem to have the edge they needed Wednesday, as they appeared to go through the motions in a 6-1 loss before 3,890 fans.

"We came out a little flat," JetHawks manager Darrin Garner said. "We had the off day (Tuesday), and I don't know what the hell they did. They were just flat in the dugout."

The Storm (18-22, 48-62), which entered play only one game behind High Desert in the wild-card race, showed little more spirit in the lackadaisical game.

The JetHawks matched a franchise-worst 36 games under .500 by dipping to 37-73 overall and 14-26 in the second half.

"We didn't come ready to play," Garner said. "That's all you can say."

In spite of that, Lancaster struck first against the worst home team in the California League (19-34). Greg Connors' two-out triple to the deepest part of the park in left-center field scored Jerry Amador from first base to give the JetHawks a 1-0 lead.

Little did Lancaster know that would not only be their final run of the game, but also the JetHawks' last serious scoring chance of the night.

Lancaster managed only four more singles and eight more total base runners in the final eight innings of play. Only three of those runners managed to reach second base, and none made it any further.

"We got nothing going offensively," Garner said. "We didn't create any opportunities."

Ryan Cummings (2-0) was solid, if not spectacular, holding Lancaster to the one run on six hits, two walks and two hit batters in eight innings of work. He also struck out 10.

"The guy had a good breaking ball he was throwing for strikes," Garner said. "He shut us down."

The JetHawks' offense should receive a boost with the anticipated return of outfielder Matt Sachse from Class AAA Tacoma today.

The Storm got all the runs they needed to win Wednesday on Chris Walther's two-run double in the second inning. The shot down the left-field line scored Benji Simonton, who opened the frame with a single, and Jason Dewey, who reached base on Jason Regan's error.

Walther made the Lake Elsinore lead 3-1 on Adam Leggett's single.

The Storm added some insurance in the fifth, when the first five batters to come to the plate against starter Patrick Dunham and reliever Tim McClaskey reached base. Matt Luke, who is on a rehabilitation assignment with the Storm for wrist and rib injuries, Darren Blakely and Matt Curtis all picked up RBI in the frame.

Dunham (0-2) was charged with all six runs, five of which were earned, on six hits, two walks and a hit batter. He also struck out five and had a wild pitch.

Uploaded August 5, 1999