JetHawks Lose Game, but Still Have Shot at Playoffs

The Lancaster JetHawks and Modesto A’s, two teams with identical records after 140 regular-season games, will play a one-game playoff tonight at Modesto for a California League playoff berth after both teams were defeated Sunday.

Lancaster managed only three singles in a 2-0 loss to the San Jose Giants at San Jose. Modesto was defeated by the Stockton Ports, 7-6, at Modesto.

The winner of tonight’s game will earn a wild-card spot in the Valley Division.

Three San Jose pitchers combined to stop Lancaster (74-66), which has lost five of its past seven games.

San Jose right-hander Scott Linebrink (2-1) gave up two hits in five innings. Relievers Mike McMullen and James Stoops helped keep Lancaster off-balance.

Linebrink struck out five and walked three. Stoops pitched the final two innings, striking out two and giving up one hit to record his fourth save.

San Jose (60-80) scored in the third inning on a two-out single by Todd Wilson that drove in Bobby Bonds Jr. from third.

In the eighth, Jose Alguacil doubled to left field to drive home Tim Garland from second. Garland had singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by shortstop Luis Molina.

Lancaster threatened in the eighth, positioning runners at first and third, but Stoops retired Jim Horner on a fly ball to center field to end the inning.

Right-hander Joe Mays (6-4) is expected to start for Lancaster against Modesto’s Ray Noriega