Sam Hilliard went deep for one of his four hits on the night, but the JetHawks were unable to protect a five-run lead and fell to the Visalia Rawhide, 9-8, in the series opener on Thursday night at Recreation Park.

Lancaster (12-16) jumped on Visalia (16-12) starter Justin Donatella with four runs in the first inning. Garrett Hampson led off with a walk and scored on a Brendan Rodgers double before Hilliard went deep to make it 3-0. It was Hilliard’s third home run of the season. Brian Mundell followed with a double and later scored on a Mylz Jones base-hit.

Starter Peter Lambert put up zeroes in his first two innings but allowed Visalia to cut into the lead in the third on back-to-back RBI-singles for Jason Morozowski and Marty Herum.

The JetHawks pulled away in the next half inning, scoring three unearned runs in the fourth. After the inning extended thanks to a Sergio Alcantara error, Rodgers delivered his second run-scoring double of the game and Hilliard followed with a two-run single. Lancaster led, 7-2.

Lambert pitched well into the fifth inning but struggled in what would ultimately be his final frame. He issued two walks and gave up an infield hit before Herum cleared the bases with a three-run double to bring Visalia back within two runs.

Lambert allowed five runs on eight hits over his five innings with five strikeouts and two walks.

Marc Magliaro (0-1) took over in relief of Lambert and pitched a scoreless sixth inning but wasn’t as fortunate in the seventh. The inning started with back-to-back singles before Herum brought the Rawhide within one run on a sac-fly. Jones committed an error to allow Austin Byler to reach base and the next three batters singled to plate three runs and put the Rawhide ahead, 9-7.

Keegan Long (1-0) tossed three scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. Mason McCullough struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning.

The JetHawks scored a run on a Hilliard base-hit in the ninth, but Bud Jeter finished the inning for his ninth save.

The series continues on Friday with a 7 p.m. first pitch scheduled at Recreation Park. Jesus Tinoco (0-0) will start for the JetHawks against Joel Payamps (2-0).

The JetHawks are in their first season as a Colorado Rockies affiliate in 2017. Full season, Hawks Packs and group tickets are available now at jethawks.com, or by calling (661) 726-5400.