'HAWKS BATS LATE TO ARRIVE LANCASTER OUTHITS A'S BUT STRANDS 10 IN LOSS MODESTO 12, JETHAWKS 7.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - The JetHawks hitters seem to be at their best in situations that matter least.

For the second consecutive day, Lancaster feasted during garbage time Sunday in a 12-7 loss to the Modesto A's in front of 2,709 at Lancaster Municipal Stadium.

The JetHawks (3-7) got 10 of their 13 hits in the last five innings, by which time Modesto led 5-1, and they never trailed by less than three runs after that. On Saturday night, seven of Lancaster's nine hits came after the A's had taken an 11-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

``We're getting our hits,'' said JetHawks first baseman Jesus Cota, who was 3 for 5 with two doubles. ``We had more hits than they did, but I guess we're just hitting the ball at the wrong time. We're not hitting with runners in scoring position.''

Lancaster stranded 10 baserunners and squandered several opportunities, including a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the fifth, when Modesto pitcher Michael Wood (1-1) induced Dwight Edge to ground into a double play.

Corey Myers was 2 for 4 with a double, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Josh Kroeger was 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI, and Edge was 2 for 5 with two doubles.

Eight of the JetHawks hits were doubles; however, they haven't homered in three games and have just four homers this season.

JetHawks starter Francisco Trejo (0-1) allowed seven runs - two earned - on seven hits.

--Matchup: Right-hander Casey Daigle (1-0, 2.77 ERA) will pitch for the JetHawks when they play host to Rancho Cucamonga at 7:15 tonight in the opener of a four-game series.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

--Saturday's top performers: Eric Munson (USC) homered for Triple-A Toledo (Ohio). ... Ryan McGuire (El Camino Real of Woodland Hills/UCLA) homered twice and drove in three runs for Triple-A Rochester (N.Y.). ... Terrmel Sledge (Kennedy of Granada Hills/CSUN) had three hits, including two doubles, two RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base for Double-A Harrisburg (Pa.). ...racepay!Jorge Piedra (Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks) had a run-scoring single for Double-A West Tennessee. ... Dane Sardinha (Pepperdine) had a double and drove in two runs for Double-A Chattanooga (Tenn.). ... Erasmo Ramirez (CSUN) threw a scoreless inning of relief for Double-A Tulsa (Okla.). ... Mike Glendenning(Crespi of Encino/Pierce) had two hits and an RBI for Double-A Wichita (Kan.).

- Chris Cocoles

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MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT (see text)