Victory Puts Jethawks in Playoffs

The Lancaster JetHawks extended their season into the California League baseball playoffs by defeating the Modesto A’s, 3-0, in a one-game playoff Monday night for the Valley Division wild-card berth.

The JetHawks (75-66) will open a three-game series with first-half Valley Division champion Stockton at 7:05 tonight in Stockton, with Game Two scheduled for Wednesday at the Hangar.

The winner of the series will face the top-seeded second-half winner and overall division champion High Desert.

Three Lancaster pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout, with starter Joe Mays (7-4) giving up all three hits in seven innings. The right-hander struck out nine while walking one and hitting one batter. Mays retired 14 consecutive batters after giving up a leadoff double to Tilson Brito in the first inning.

Brian Sweeney and Sean Spencer each pitched one inning in relief, with Spencer striking out the final two batters.

The JetHawks opened the scoring in the fifth inning with two runs off reliever Julian Leyva. Left fielder Tarrik Brock tripled and Joel Ramirez doubled in Brock.

After Ramirez was picked off, Joe Mathis singled, stole second and scored on a two-out bloop single by second baseman Jason Regan.

Major leaguer Dave Telgheder, who is on a rehab assignment, started for the A’s (74-67), giving up two hits in 2 2/3 innings with one walk and two strikeouts.