JetHawks Are at a Loss Without Clifford, 6-2

If only JetHawk first baseman James Clifford could have been around a bit longer to enjoy his record-setting night.

Clifford, who has been a one-man wrecking crew in games against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, pulled up lame while running out a ground ball Friday night in a 6-2 loss in a California League game at the Hangar.

Before injuring his right leg in the fifth inning, Clifford was up to his old tricks. He hit solo home runs in the second and fourth innings to give him 21, a team record for the JetHawks.

Against Rancho Cucamonga last season, Clifford hit seven home runs and drove in 21 runs.

Team officials were unable to immediately diagnose Clifford’s injury but there was no trouble noticing his absence.

Rancho Cucamonga (12-10) retired the final 13 JetHawks after Clifford hit into a double play.

Domingo Guzman (3-1) struck out nine for the Quakes.

For 6 1/3 innings, Lancaster starter Dennis Stark matched Guzman’s performance in his home debut. Stark (1-1) gave up three earned runs and six hits.

After tagging Stark for two runs in the sixth, Rancho Cucamonga scored single runs in the seventh and eighth and put it away on Mike Darr’s sixth home run, a two-run shot in the ninth.

Josh Watts added two hits for Lancaster (14-8), which had only seven for the night. Jason Regan went hitless in four at-bats and his 11-game hitting streak ended.

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* DAILY REPORT

JetHawk Josh Watts faces a two-game suspension. C13