JetHawks Give Storm a Jolt With Rally in Bottom of Ninth

It started and ended with a home run, and fortunately for the Lancaster JetHawks, their blast was bigger.

Joe Mathis hit a three-run shot to right field with two out in the ninth to give the JetHawks a 7-5 victory over the Lake Elsinore Storm in a California League game in front of 4,220 fans at the Hangar on Thursday night.

Mathis, hitless in his four previous at-bats, connected on a 2-and-0 pitch from reliever Kurt Knudsen.

Lancaster (14-7) had three home runs. Jason Regan hit his ninth of the season in the sixth and Tarrik Brock hit one in the fifth, both with the bases empty.

Lake Elsinore (7-14), which had 10 hits, started on a positive note when Norm Hutchins opened the game with a home run to right field.

Hutchins’ blast came after JetHawk starter Joe Mays sailed a pitch behind the center fielder’s head.

The Storm increased its lead to 3-1 through five innings.

Jose Cintron of Lake Elsinore pitched five innings, giving up one run and four hits.

Cintron’s bullpen, however, let him down. The JetHawks scored two runs in the sixth off Aaron Meyer and closed to 4-3.

Lancaster’s relief pitching was solid thanks to Brian Sweeney (4-1), who gave up only one hit in three innings.

The JetHawks had seven extra base hits, including four doubles.

“We got a lot of good at-bats in the ninth tonight,” JetHawk Manager Rick Burleson said. “Mathis got ahead in the count and was able to drive a fastball.”

During their ninth-inning rally, the JetHawks had three hits and a walk. Joel Ramirez singled home the JetHawks’ fourth run before Mathis hit his game winner.