Robinson Has Westfall’s Number

Following the example set by the major leagues, the JetHawks have retired No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. But unlike the majors, which allowed players currently wearing 42 to keep it, the JetHawks pulled the number right off reliever Allan Westfall’s back.

Westfall, who wore 24 during his college career at Miami, said he had grown attached to 42 and hoped to keep it until the end of the season, but he accepted the change to 30.

“For what (Jackie Robinson) has done for the game, I can see why they did it,” Westfall said.

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Woody Woodward, general manager of the Seattle Mariners, is in Lancaster for two games this week, checking out the team’s prospects and the facility.

“It’s beautiful, really nice,” Woodward said of the Hangar. “The field is in great shape and it’s a nice place for the fans.”

Woodward did not say he was in town to check out any specific players, but he did say the pitching staff looks particularly promising. “I have high expectations of this group,” he said.

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Tonight’s Game: Rancho Cucamonga (Brandon Kolb, 1-0, 2.49) at JetHawks (Kevin Gryboski, 0-2, 8.27), 7:15.

AROUND THE LEAGUES

After 11 seasons, Matt Franco (Westlake High) might finally have escaped from the minors. The New York Mets third baseman is three for 10 with a home run since being recalled from triple-A.

Franco’s uncle, actor Kurt Russell, has followed his nephew’s career closely. As a guest on the The Tonight Show on Monday night, Russell made sure to mention to Jay Leno that Franco homered against the Chicago Cubs, Franco’s former team. . . . Ryan Kritscher (Thousand Oaks), a second baseman drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals last June after batting .397 for UC Santa Barbara, has retired rather than spend a second season in rookie league. Kritscher batted .310 with 19 doubles in 168 at-bats for Johnson City, Tenn., last year but was not promoted.

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Scanning Tuesday box scores: Outfielder Ryan Radmanovich (Pepperdine) hit his third home run for triple-A Salt Lake City. . . . Right-hander Brandon Knight (Buena, Ventura College) won his second consecutive start for Class-A Port Charlotte, Fla., giving up one run in seven innings. Knight has allowed six earned runs in 27 innings. . . . Former JetHawk second baseman Adonis Harrison hit his first home run for Class-A Wisconsin, which plays in Appleton. . . . Eric Gillespie (Cal State Northridge) went hitless in three at-bats and is zero for 20 this season for Class-A Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gillespie, a catcher, third baseman and outfielder at Northridge, is playing first base.