JETHAWKS REPORT : Shortstop Molina Has Aching Back to Back

Shortstop Luis Molina was out of the lineup for a second consecutive game Thursday night because of a sore back.

Molina hurt his back Tuesday night in Visalia on a hard swing during his final at-bat.

“It’s feeling better,” Molina said. “I will be able to play in a couple days, or maybe [today].”

Mike Lanza started in Molina’s place for the second night in a row. Lanza was one for three Wednesday night and made a nice barehanded play on a ball that ricocheted off the pitcher.

San Jose Giant relief pitcher Russ Ortiz, a graduate of Montclair Prep who was drafted out of Oklahoma in the fourth round last year, is lighting up the California League.

Ortiz was leading the league with three saves through Wednesday. In 4 1/3 innings he had eight strikeouts without allowing a hit or a walk. San Jose Manager Carlos Lezcano said he is confident Ortiz and his 96 mph fastball will one day be in the majors.

“If I were a betting man I’d bet a lot of money he’d be there,” Lezcano said before Thursday night’s game against the JetHawks. “I don’t know when, but he’ll be there.”

JetHawk first baseman Shawn Buhner didn’t mind the crowd attention that came from his designation as the “beer batter” on Wednesday night.

In San Jose, one opponent is chosen each night as the “beer batter” and fans get half-price beer for 15 minutes if he strikes out. Buhner struck out twice.

“I always get people yelling at me just because of the name,” he said. “People are expecting me to hit 40 home runs. But [my brother] Jay and I are different players.”

The JetHawks’ game Saturday at High Desert against the Mavericks will be played at 2:05 p.m, as originally scheduled.

The JetHawks tried to get the game pushed back to Saturday night because they play Friday night in San Jose before making the eight-hour bus ride to High Desert.

Tonight’s game:

JetHawks (Bob Worley, 0-0) at San Jose (Bobby Rector, 0-1), 7:15.