Basically, JetHawks Have Had Breakdowns

It’s an odd sight to see veterans of Class-A baseball working on such basic plays as rundowns and hit-and-runs. It only looked like an Instructional League game, but Manager Scott Coolbaugh’s point was painfully clear.

Lancaster (26-26) has not won consecutive games since April and the JetHawks, losers of six of 10 and languishing 10 1/2 games behind Lake Elsinore in the California League’s South Division, have become increasingly inconsistent.

So, Coolbaugh tried the simple approach, running his team through a simulated game before batting practice Wednesday.

“You see guys who have been in A-ball for three or four years and guys out of college not able to do things consistently,” Coolbaugh said. “There have been a lot of breakdowns in all facets of the game.”

Not that the simulated game was any different.

“We even had some breakdowns in the [simulated] game,” Coolbaugh said. “Messed up a rundown, threw a ball away at the plate, missed a pop-up.”

But it might have made an impression because Lancaster downed Rancho Cucamonga, 8-3, on Wednesday night at the Hangar in Lancaster.

The JetHawks are struggling despite a lineup that includes third baseman Billy Martin, who has a shot at the league’s triple crown, and the continuing development of catcher J.D. Closser, 20, the teams’ youngest starter.

“We do expect more of ourselves,” said Closser, who is considered an offensive catcher whose throwing must develop for him to advance in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization.

Closser, who will turn 21 next month, is batting .295 with nine home runs, 36 runs batted in and is tied with Martin with 14 doubles.

Martin, 24, had shoulder surgery in the off-season and has battled to establish himself defensively. He has 10 errors, one of four starters with 10 or more.

Martin’s .360 average was third in the Cal League. His 12 home runs were second and his 47 RBIs were second before Wednesday.

He did not start Wednesday because of a sore ankle.

“He’s got great power potential,” Coolbaugh said. “He has a long way to go defensively and needs to hit to advance, and he needs to play a position. He’s got to put it all together.”

The JetHawks haven’t exactly put it all together, either. Lancaster’s .294 batting average leads the Cal League, but its 5.26 earned-run average is next to last.

Pair that with the dazzling start of Lake Elsinore (36-16), and the JetHawks have been chasing the Storm since opening night.

Despite the high ERA, there has been progress with Andrew Good (5-3, 4.89), Brandon Webb (3-5, 5.88), Doug Slaten (4-4, 4.37) and Tanner Eriksen (3-3, 3.65).

Mike Schultz, former Cleveland High and Loyola Marymount right-hander who was Arizona’s top pick in last year’s draft and received a $500,000 signing bonus, has not pitched this season because of a shoulder injury.

Schultz, who was scratched from his opening night assignment, was placed on the disabled list in April.