LANCASTER, Calif. – The Lancaster JetHawks jumped out to an early lead and cruised to an 11-4 victory over the Inland Empire 66ers on Thursday night at The Hangar in the series opener.
The win, coupled with a loss by Rancho Cucamonga in Lake Elsinore, put the JetHawks back in first place by themselves in the South Division. They hold a one-game lead over the Quakes and are two up on Lake Elsinore with 10 games to play in the first half.
Craig Schlitter (8-1) turned in his 10th quality start out of 12 appearances this season. The right-hander took the league-lead in wins and tossed six and two-thirds innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on nine hits with two walks and one strikeout.
Lancaster JetHawks pitcher Craig Schlitter
The JetHawks (32-28) led from wire to wire. They scored a pair of runs in the first inning. With one out, Brendan Rodgers extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a double. Sam Hilliard followed with an RBI triple into the right field corner. Brian Mundell was next and brought home a run with a ground out. It was the first of three runs batted in on the night for Mundell, who leads the California League with 52.
Lancaster broke open the game with a five-run third inning. All five runs were unearned thanks to a two-base error that opened the frame by 66ers (27-33) shortstop Connor Justus. Mundell, Yonathan Daza, and Roberto Ramos all drove in runs before Wes Rogers capped the frame with a two-run homer.
Ramos finished a triple shy of the cycle and scored two runs. Rogers went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in. Brendan Rodgers was 3-for-5 and is hitting .387 to lead the league.
The 66ers hit a pair of home runs in the contest. Justus went deep off Schlitter to lead off the seventh and put Inland Empire on the board. Brennon Lund hit a two-run shot in the top of the ninth inning.
Lancaster had a season-high three triples in the game.
The four-game series continues on Friday night at The Hangar. Right-hander Trey Killian (5-2) will start for Lancaster against right-hander Greyfer Eregua (0-0). 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.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.