Clifford Replaces Fallen Friend

For the first time in his five-year pro career, JetHawk first baseman James Clifford has an everyday job.

Clifford, a left-handed hitter who usually plays only against right-handed pitchers, will be the permanent first baseman for the remainder of season because of an ankle injury to Shawn Buhner, his close friend.

“I wish it wouldn’t have happened this way with Shawn, but I like the chance to play everyday,” Clifford said.

Clifford, who entered Saturday’s game batting .244 with 13 home runs and 61 runs batted in, has a chance to prove he can hit left-handed pitching.

Clifford hit his first professional grand slam Friday off San Jose left-hander Jason Myers.

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Josh Watts, an outfielder who joined the JetHawks on Friday, would still be playing football if he wasn’t declared academically ineligible for his freshman year of college.

A highly recruited player out of Ironwood High in Glendale, Ariz., Watts was not serious about baseball in high school but ultimately chose pro ball because of a big signing bonus.

“To be honest, baseball I just played because people told me to,” said Watts, 21, who spent the three previous seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization. “But the money was there.”

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Tonight’s game: San Jose (Joe Fontenot, 7-3, 4.49) at JetHawks (Brett Hinchliffe, 7-8, 4.82), 7:15.