JETHAWKS REPORT : Outfield’s Silent Partner Is Heard From

All four of the JetHawk outfielders came into Thursday night’s game batting better than .300, but the most anonymous is certainly Jesus Marquez.

Though he plays in a rotation with top prospects Jose Cruz Jr. and Shane Monahan and speedy leadoff hitter Marcus Sturdivant, Marquez has been quietly consistent.

All Marquez has done is hit in 12 consecutive games, raising his average from .125 after four games to .315. He drove in the game-winning run in the eighth inning Wednesday.

“He’s kind of the silent outfielder,” Manager Dave Brundage said. “He’s probably got as good a swing or better than anyone on this team.”

Marquez, a 23-year-old in his fifth season of pro baseball, has also helped provide punch in the cleanup spot. He has seven hits in 20 at-bats in that spot in his past five games.

“He’s helped step up in that role,” Brundage said. “I don’t foresee him as hitting fourth [in the majors], but he’s done a good job holding his own. He’s forced opponents to pitch to Cruz and Monahan.”

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It was a difficult journey, but Clint Gould made it quickly.

Gould, the right-handed relief pitcher who was sent to the JetHawks after Bob Worley was moved to double A on Wednesday, was pitching in Appleton, Wis., on Wednesday night. He found out after the game that he was being sent to Lancaster.

He boarded a plane at 6 a.m. CDT on Thursday in Appleton, then flew through Cincinnati on his way to Ontario. He joined the JetHawks in Lake Elsinore about 12:30 p.m.

Needless to say, he was looking forward to a quiet evening in the bullpen.

“I’d like to be at my best for my first outing here,” he said.

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Lake Elsinore Manager Mitch Seoane was impressed with the JetHawks after his team lost the first two games of the three-game series.

“I really think they are the team to beat unless they get dismantled by guys moving up,” Seoane said.

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Tonight’s Game:

Rancho Cucamonga (Ryan Van De Weg, 2-1, 4.79) at JetHawks (Marino Santana, 1-2, 5.89), 7:15.