Two-Out Rally Ends Up Short

A rally by the Lancaster JetHawks fell short when Nick Pagler struck out Shawn Buhner to end the game after Lancaster scored three runs with two out in the ninth inning of an 8-7 loss at Bakersfield.

A run-scoring double by James Clifford started the comeback effort for the JetHawks, who had 13 hits, and two more runs scored when Yuni Kim’s short fly bounced off the glove of shortstop Raul Marval.

Chris Dean of the JetHawks was four for four. Former Crespi High and Pierce College standout Mike Glendenning had a two-run double in the seventh inning for Bakersfield.

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The JetHawks’ four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning of their 7-5 victory over Stockton on Monday could not have been more improbable.

First, there was a pinch-hit leading off the inning by Luis Tinoco, who had been hitless in 17 consecutive at-bats.

Then there was the crazy double play: Tinoco slipped rounding third and Joe Mathis, who slowed down when he saw Tinoco fall, was thrown out trying for a triple just before Tinoco was tagged between third and home.

Instead of a run in, a man on third and nobody out, there were two out and the bases empty.

But the JetHawks didn’t give up, tying the score with two runs on a walk and two doubles. Then came the final unlikely blow, a game-winning two-run home run by Tarrik Brock, who had been two for 19 with 11 strikeouts.

“It was just an indescribable feeling of elation,” said Brock, who yanked a first-pitch fastball over the right-field fence. “You are not thinking about a slump. All you are thinking about is what you had done.”

Brock, who had never ended a game with a home run, had been going to the field early to work with Manager Rick Burleson and hitting coach Dana Williams to find the swing that helped him make the team in spring training.

“Rick and Dana have just been great with keeping my spirits high,” Brock said.

Tonight’s Game:

San Bernardino (Kevin Pincavitch, 0-1, 4.50) at JetHawks (Rob Luce, 1-0, 0.00), 7:15.

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Around the Leagues

Scanning Sunday box scores: Outfielder Jacob Cruz (Channel Islands High) went two for four with his first home run for triple-A Phoenix. . . . First baseman Nate Dishington (Hoover) was three for five with a triple for Class-A Prince William, Va. He started the season five for nine with four runs batted in. . . . David Lamb (Newbury Park), who played second base, had a pair of doubles and five RBIs for Class-A Frederick, Md. . . . Shortstop Dan Cey (El Camino Real) went three for four for Class-A Fort Myers, Fla. . . . Former JetHawk Brett Hinchliffe pitched six scoreless innings, combining with two relievers on a shutout, in his first appearance for double-A Memphis. . . .

Scanning Monday box scores: Jeff Suppan (Crespi) gave up three runs in 5 2/3 innings in his first start of the season for triple-A Pawtucket, R.I. . . . First baseman Kevin Millar (Hart) went three for five with his first home run of the season for double-A Portland, Maine.