JetHawks Right-Fielder Yonathan Daza

Yonathan Daza blasted his first home run of the season in the opening inning and the JetHawks held on to defeat the Lake Elsinore Storm, 5-4, on Wednesday night at The Hangar.

Daza, the league’s leading hitter, went 2-for-4 in the contest to move his batting average up to .365. His homer was a solo shot with one out in the first inning and went to right-center field. Garrett Hampson later added a solo home run of his own to open the bottom of the fifth, his fourth long ball of the season. He also went 2-for-4.

Ty Culbreth (1-0) earned the win in his JetHawks debut with six strong innings of work. He allowed just one run on four hits, walked one, and struck out six.

Roberto Ramos reached in his first three at-bats with a walk, double, and single. He also drove in a pair of runs. Wes Rogers singled in his first two at-bats to make him 5-for-5 in the series at the time. Rogers added two more stolen bases to push his league-leading total to 46. After swiping seven bases Tuesday night as a team, they did the same on Wednesday.

Down 5-1 entering the eighth inning, Lake Elsinore rallied for three runs. Edwin Moreno hit a two-run homer to highlight the frame, but the Storm left the bases loaded. In the fourth, the Storm loaded the bases with nobody out but only scored once.

Carlos Polanco came on for the seventh inning and tossed a perfect frame on just six pitches for the JetHawks, but struggled in the eighth and was replaced by Marc Magliaro. Despite uncorking a wild pitch, Magliaro recorded the final two outs of the frame to keep the JetHawks in front.

Alexander Guillen pitched a perfect ninth inning and struck out a pair to earn his sixth save of the season. The right-hander only had to throw 10 pitches to close out the contest.

The three-game series concludes on Thursday night at The Hangar, as the JetHawks go for the sweep. Right-hander Peter Lambert (7-6) will start for Lancaster. First pitch is 6:35 p.m.

The JetHawks are in their first season as a Colorado Rockies affiliate. Full Season, Hawks Packs and Group Tickets are available now at jethawks.com, or by calling (661) 726-5400.