JETHAWKS REPORT : Cloude Walking on Mild Side

Lost in the hoopla of Tuesday night’s home opener was a remarkable statistic: JetHawk starter Ken Cloude pitched seven innings without walking a batter, extending his streak to 12 innings without a walk.

To get an idea of just how unusual that is in Class A baseball, no other JetHawk has completed an outing longer than three innings without a walk.

“Up six runs it wasn’t much of an effort to just go out and throw strikes,” Cloude said.

In 16 innings, Cloude has struck out 25 and walked three. His earned-run average is 2.25.

Fans interested in seeing a pitcher’s duel should come to the JetHawks’ game Sunday against High Desert. Cloude will pitch against the Mavericks’ Gary White, who hasn’t allowed a run in eight innings and will be the first left-handed starter to face the JetHawks.

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Outfielder Shane Monahan, one of the JetHawks’ top left-handed hitters, said the strong wind that blows toward the fences at the Hangar doesn’t have him thinking about home runs.

“I’m more worried about throwing the ball in from right field,” he said. “I’m going to have to have the first baseman come out and help me.”

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Larry Beinfest, the Seattle Mariners’ director of player development, is in town to see the JetHawks through Saturday night’s game. Jim Skaalen, the Mariners’ coordinator of minor league instruction, is also spending some time in Lancaster.

Shortstop Luis Molina has alleviated one of the problems that caused his back pain: he got a mattress. Molina had been sleeping on the floor in the apartment he shares with three teammates.

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Tonight’s Game:

Visalia (John Kelly, 0-1, 12.60) at JetHawks (Brett Hinchliffe, 2-0, 5.63), 7:15.