JetHawks claim first victory at Ranch

The eighth time was the charm for Lancaster as Greg Wooten pitched his third complete game of the season and became the first JetHawks pitcher to reach 10 wins.

For whatever reason, the Lancaster JetHawks couldn't come away with a victory in their first seven tries at San Bernardino Municipal Stadium, suffering two frustrating series sweeps.

But with Friday's 3-2 victory over the Stampede before 2,755 fans at The Ranch, that all changed.

"Any win here is sweet," JetHawks manager Darrin Garner said. "Anytime we can beat this team is great."

Lancaster won its fifth straight against the Stampede and kept San Bernardino from locking up at least a share of the South Division second-half title.

Greg Wooten (10-4) led the way, outdueling San Bernardino's Adrian Burnside to pick up his third complete game of the season. He became the first JetHawks pitcher to reach double digits in victories this season.

"He was outstanding tonight," Garner said. "He kept their hitters off-balance and mixed his pitches real well."

Wooten, who surrendered a solo home run to Eric Riggs on his first pitch of the game, didn't allow another run until Jimy Gonzalez tripled and scored on Nick Theodorou's ninth-inning groundout. The right-hander held the Stampede to six hits and four walks while striking out eight.

But it looked for a while like Wooten's effort wouldn't be enough, as Burnside carried a no-hitter and a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning. Jason Regan was the only batter to reach base after being hit by a second-inning 0-2 pitch during the string.

Matt Sachse broke up the no-hit bid by the Australian native, though, with his sixth-inning leadoff single back up the middle. He also broke up the shutout when he scored on Harvey Hargrove's RBI groundout.

Burnside also lost the lead in the sixth when Patrick Williams clubbed a two-run homer to center field to give the JetHawks a 3-1 lead. The home run was Williams' 25th of the season, tying the franchise season-high record previously set by James Clifford in 1997.