Home Run in 9th Drops JetHawks

When things went downhill fast, the Lancaster JetHawks got caught in an uphill battle, and only Rancho Cucamonga reached the top.

The JetHawks fell, 8-7, on a home run by Ben Davis with two out in the top of the ninth inning of a Cal League game in front of 5,214 on Saturday night at the Hangar.

Davis’ homer, his 11th, came off Sean Spencer (1-1), the JetHawks’ fourth pitcher. Spencer pitched the ninth in relief of Denny Bonilla, who worked a strong three innings. Bonilla struck out five, including the side in the sixth.

The JetHawks (14-9) were forced to play catch-up for most of the game.

Javier Gutierrez, a right-hander who entered the game with a 6.00 earned-run average, struggled from the start. He gave up three hits and a walk in the first inning and Lancaster fell behind, 3-0.

The JetHawks rallied to take a 4-3 lead in the first with three hits, including home runs by Jason Regan and Jim Horner. Regan’s one-out solo shot was his 10th. Horner, who entered the game with a .222 batting average and three home runs, hit a three-run blast to right field for a 4-3 lead.

The Quakes (13-10) got to Gutierrez in the third with four runs on five hits, a walk and a fielder’s choice before he was replaced with two out. Gutierrez faced 19 batters in 2 1/3 innings and threw 79 pitches. He gave up nine hits and seven runs--all earned--struck out three and walked two.

Trailing, 7-4, Villalobos cut into the deficit with a leadoff home run--his 11th--in the third.

Lancaster tied the score, 7-7, in the fifth when Watts singled to drive in Regan and Villalobos.

Keith Davis (5-9) got the victory in relief of starter Bill Anderson.