LANCASTER – The Lancaster JetHawks led by four runs in the eighth inning, but could not hang on in an 8-4 loss to Rancho Cucamonga at The Hangar Tuesday.

The Quakes scored four runs in each of the final two innings after recording just four hits in the first seven frames.

Matt Dennis turned in his best start of the season, but did not factor in the decision. The righty pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits.

Lancaster (27-31) led after a Carlos Herrera home run in the third inning. They added another in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Vince Fernandez stayed hot with a solo home run, as the JetHawks took a 4-0 lead.

Things turned in the eighth inning, as Rancho Cucamonga (28-30) did damage against Lancaster’s bullpen. The Quakes hit three consecutive home runs off of Alexander Guillen to start the eighth. A wild pitch later in the inning tied the game, 4-4.

In the ninth, Gavin Lux led off with a solo shot off of Bryan Baker (1-1). Two batters later, Cristian Santana hit a two-run home run to centerfield. The Quakes added an eighth run on a Cody Thomas single to finish off an impressive final two innings.

Rancho hit five home runs and scored eight times in the eighth and ninth innings.

Stetson Allie (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win. The Rancho bullpen combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings behind starter Dustin May.

Here’s the box score.

The JetHawks are now two games back of Lake Elsinore in the South Division standings. Lancaster and Lake Elsinore are tied for third place with 12 games to go before the All-Star Break.

The series continues Wednesday night at The Hangar. Brandon Gold (4-3) starts game two against Rancho’s Tony Gonsolin (3-1). First pitch is at 6:35 pm.