JetHawks’ Cloude Gets Uniform Back

The impostor who wore Ken Cloude’s uniform and gave up nine runs in less than four innings Sunday has been replaced with the real article.

Cloude, the JetHawks’ ace right-hander, returned to form Friday, giving up only three singles and one run in seven innings of the JetHawks’ 7-1 victory over the High Desert Mavericks at Maverick Stadium.

“I just got ahead of the hitters,” he said. “I wasn’t overpowering. I didn’t do anything fancy. I didn’t even make that many great pitches when I was ahead, but I got lucky and they hit some balls right at people.”

Cloude kept his fastballs on the corners, which was the difference between Friday night’s game and Sunday’s, in which he mysteriously lost his command and threw belt-high fastballs that were roped by the Visalia Oaks.

“He was spotting his fastball and that was the difference,” JetHawk Manager Dave Brundage said. “Tonight he was near unhittable for five innings.”

Cloude (9-2), who won his seventh consecutive decision, was dominant at the outset, retiring the first 11 hitters on 37 pitches before No. 3 batter Mike Berry fought through 10 pitches for a walk.

For whatever reason, Cloude was not the same after the Berry at-bat. He had gotten ahead of 10 of the first 12 hitters with his first pitch, but he fell behind six of the next 12.

“I think it was a little bit of a letdown, throwing him that many fastballs and then losing him,” Cloude said.

Cloude lost the no-hit bid with two out in the fifth on a opposite-field single by Chris Bryant. The Mavericks started hitting balls hard, though they still found JetHawk gloves, a couple at the warning track.

After giving up two hits and a run in the sixth, Cloude returned to his early form in the seventh, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches. Having thrown 95 pitches, Cloude was then pulled, turning a 4-1 lead over to the bullpen.

Jesus Marquez padded the lead with his team-leading 11th home run, with two on in the ninth.

The JetHawks (5-5) took a 2-0 lead in the third. With runners at first and third and one out, Jason Cook beat out a potential double-play grounder, allowing a run to score. Shane Monahan then drilled a double off the wall in left-center field, driving in Cook.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

JetHawks 7, High Desert 1

JetHawks 002 000 203 -- 7 9 0

High Desert 000 001 000 -- 1 4 3

Cloude, Daniels (8) and Wathan; Smith, Dean (7), Olszewski (7), Reed (7), Sauritch (8), Snyder (9) and Newstrom.

W--Cloude (9-2). L--Smith (1-1). S--Daniels (6).

2B: J--Buhner, Monahan. HR:J--Marquez (11).

Records: JetHawks 5-5; High Desert 3-7.

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* JETHAWKS REPORT: C12