Mays Zeros In and Stampede Draws Blank

The San Bernardino Stampede thought it had the perfect remedy for its ailing ways--Lancaster JetHawk pitcher Joe Mays.

But the Stampede limped home Wednesday night sicker than ever after Mays pitched seven shutout innings in the JetHawks’ 8-0 California League victory in front of 3,981 at the Hangar.

Lancaster second baseman Jason Regan drove in four runs with a home run and a three-run double, but Mays (2-2) left a meaner impression.

The 21-year-old right-hander had allowed 43 hits in 30 2/3 innings and had a 5.87 earned-run average. Opponents were batting .331 against him.

But Mays allowed five hits while striking out seven, walking four and escaping jams in the first and third.

Rafael Rivera worked the eighth and ninth innings as Lancaster posted the first shutout this season at the Hangar and handed the Stampede (50-46, 10-16 in the second half) its sixth consecutive defeat.

San Bernardino ace J.J. Pearsall (11-5) took the loss.

“I’m happy just to be a part of it,” Mays said. “It was nice to have a decent start, finally. I’m getting a better idea of the hitters in this league.”

The JetHawks (49-47, 16-10) scored two runs in the third inning and two in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.

Right fielder Tarrik Brock launched his fifth homer an estimated 400 feet to right with David Skeels aboard in the third.

In the fifth, shortstop Luis Molina, batting .212, hit his sixth home run and Regan cleared the right-center field wall with his 12th homer in his 24th game as a JetHawk.

Regan’s double keyed a four-run seventh.