Moore Still Looks Beat Even With Extra Rest

Five extra days of rest was supposed to help JetHawk left-hander Trey Moore, who had a tired arm after his last start.

But the most tired left arms after Tuesday night’s game between the JetHawks and High Desert Mavericks had to be those of the managers, from waving runners around to score.

Moore lasted just 1 2/3 innings, the shortest outing by a JetHawk starter all season, and he gave up 11 runs. The JetHawks battled back but lost, 15-11, before 3,508 fans at the Hangar.

“It was just one of those days I guess,” Manager Dave Brundage said. “I just hope they aren’t too many more.”

The JetHawks (14-13) fell into a tie with High Desert for last-place in the California League’s Southern Division.

Moore, a 23-year-old left-hander picked in the second round of the 1994 draft, was one of the bright lights of the Mariner system last season, when he dominated the Cal League with a 14-6 record and a 3.09 earned-run average.

But he struggled in the first half at double-A Port City, posting a 7.71 ERA, and he has been less than spectacular with the JetHawks lately. After pitching well in his first four starts, Moore has given up 18 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings in his last three, his ERA swelling from 1.61 to 5.09.

“I will never say I’m getting worried about [Moore’s ability],” Brundage said. “He’s going to be a very good pitcher some day. He has the stuff and the ability to pitch in the major leagues.”

Moore (3-3) struck out the side in the first inning. The problem was what happened in between the strikeouts--four hits, including a three-run homer by Chris Kirgan.

In the second, Moore got the first out but then the next six hitters reached base, four on hits. After a strikeout Moore gave up an infield single, driving in one run. Carlos Villalobos’ throwing error on the play allowed another to score, giving the Mavericks a 9-1 lead and sending Moore to the showers.

Reliever John Daniels promptly gave up a three-run home run to No. 9 hitter Jesus Garcia.

But that was uncharacteristic of the stuff Daniels had. In fact, he may have had his best performance of the season: 4 1/3 innings, nine strikeouts.

Daniels--a right-hander with an almost sidearm, slingshot delivery--struck out seven of the next eight hitters he faced, giving up only an infield single in between.

The JetHawks managed a charge in the fourth, when Dusty Wathan drilled a two-run home run off Matt Marenghi, who leads the league with 19 homers allowed. Doug Carroll and Chris Dean then singled and both scored on Shane Monahan’s league-leading 11th triple.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

High Desert 15, JetHawks 11

High Desert 480 001 101 -- 15 17 0

JetHawks 100 400 303 -- 11 17 2

Marenghi, Olszewski (7) and Harmer; Moore, Daniels (2), E. Clifford (7) and Wathan.

W--Marenghi (8-8).L--Moore (3-3).

2B: J--Dean, Carroll, Smith, Clifford.3B:HD--Carney; J--Monahan, Marquez.HR:HD--Kirgan (16), Garcia (6); J--Wathan (7), Monahan (12).

Records: High Desert 14-13; JetHawks 14-13.