Moore Gives JetHawks Playoff-Type Lift With Complete-Game Win

Trey Moore gave the JetHawks a lift and a rest, pitching his second complete game of the season and beating the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 9-1, Wednesday night at the Hangar, helping the JetHawks to only their second series victory against a Southern Division team in the second half.

Moore (5-4) gave up only one unearned run and four singles. He struck out seven and walked one.

In addition to giving the JetHawk bullpen a much-needed rest after three of the previous four starters had been knocked out before the third inning, he helped keep the JetHawks’ playoff hopes alive.

With 17 games to go, the JetHawks (25-28) trail High Desert by three games for the wild-card spot and trail Lake Elsinore by six games for the second-half title.

“We needed to win a series,” JetHawk Manager Dave Brundage said. “If we lose tonight then we’ve lost four of six and have our backs against the wall. We really needed to gain ground.”

The 5,187 fans were treated to the expected--James Clifford hit his seventh homer against the Quakes--and the unexpected--little-used Andy Augustine had a three-run double to boost his season runs batted in total from seven to 10.

Another standard feature of games at the Hangar has been a home run from Jesus Marquez. Marquez broke a scoreless tie with one out in the fourth by hitting a low line drive just over the right-field fence for his 19th home run--14th at home--and 99th RBI of the season.

Scott Smith followed Marquez with a double and James Clifford was hit by a pitch. After Chris Dean flew out, the JetHawks loaded the bases when Josh Watts hit a routine grounder that was booted by Quake shortstop Juan Melo, perhaps the league’s best infielder.

Augustine, who was starting for only the 25th time in 123 games, made the Quakes pay when he pushed a line drive just inside the right-field foul line for a three-run double.

In the fifth, Smith singled home Carlos Villalobos to give the JetHawks a 5-0 lead. The JetHawks wound up blowing the game open in the seventh when they began the inning with six consecutive hits, scoring four runs to take a 9-1 lead. The big hits were Smith’s two-run double and Clifford’s two-run home run.

JetHawks 9, Rancho Cucamonga 1

Rancho Cucamonga: 000 000 010 -- 1 4 2

JetHawks: 000 410 40x -- 9 12 2

Clement, Logan (5), Schlutt (6), Dixon (7), Erdos (8) and McKinnis; Moore and Augustine.

W--Moore (5-4). L--Clement (3-4).

2B: J--Smith 2, Villalobos. 3B:J--Clifford. HR:J--Marquez (19), Clifford (17).

Records: Records: Rancho Cucamonga 23-30; JetHawks 25-28.