JetHawks Flame Out With 2-Run Lead, 2 Outs in Ninth

A two-out error by JetHawks third baseman Carlos Villalobos and a subsequent three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning gave the High Desert Mavericks a 4-3 victory over the JetHawks before a crowd of 5,706 at Lancaster Municipal Stadium on Sunday.

The JetHawks (12-6) took a 3-1 lead into the ninth. Todd Neiemeier started the inning with a strikeout of Chris Kirgan, but he was pulled after walking Roy Hodge. John Thompson (0-1) then came in from the bullpen and recorded a quick out.

Ray Suplee then grounded to Villalobos, whose throw to first baseman Shawn Buhner was in the dirt for his 11th error of the season. The next batter, Bryan Bogle, drilled a monstrous home run over the right-field fence.

In the bottom of the inning, Jason Cook hit a one-out double and moved to third on a groundout. Jose Cruz Jr. stranded Cook when he struck out on a nasty curve ball from Matt Snyder to end the game.

The loss spoiled an excellent outing by JetHawks starter Ken Cloude, who struck out seven and allowed only one hit and one run in 6 2/3 innings. Cloude ran his streak of not walking a batter to 18 innings before yielding two in the seventh.