BALL BOUNCED TO TOP PROMOTION FORCES JETHAWKS TO LOCATE A NEW LEADOFF HITTER.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

MODESTO - JetHawks outfielder Jarred Ball is back on top - at least of the lineup.

Originally slated to be the JetHawks' leadoff hitter this season, Ball was dropped to the ninth spot in the order when infielder Keoni DeRenne was added to the roster at the end of spring training.

But since DeRenne's promotion to Triple-A Tucson (Ariz.) on Saturday, Ball has been bumped back up to the top of the order.

Ball is batting .254 (17 for 67), but has struggled in his first four games as the JetHawks' leadoff batter, going a combined 2 for 15, including an 0-for-5 game in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to Modesto, in which he struck out four times.

He figures to be in a position to improve on those numbers, though.

Ball, a 21-year-old who is ranked among the parent Arizona Diamondbacks' top 30 prospects by Baseball America, now bats atop what is arguably the most potent lineup in all of Single-A, including 2003 top-round draft picks Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin and Jamie D'Antona and 2002 California League RBI leader Jesus Cota.

``Hitting in front of those guys, I know I'm going to see a lot of good pitches to hit,'' Ball said. ``I know they're not going to want to walk me in front of those guys.''

JetHawks manager Wally Backman said Neb Brown and Brandon Simon will also have opportunities to lead off, but Ball will be the team's everyday leadoff hitter until further notice.

``I like Ball because he has speed, he's a switch hitter and he's done it in the past and he's had some success at it,'' Backman said.

--Glant to start: JetHawks closer Dustin Glant will make his first start as a professional tonight against Modesto.

Glant will take at least one turn in the rotation in place of staff ace Jesus Silva, who was taken out of his most recent start on Saturday with elbow pain. Silva also complained of forearm pain during a side outing on Tuesday.

Silva, a converted closer, is expected to have his arm examined by a doctor in Modesto.

Glant is 2-2 with a 6.30 ERA and three saves, but has blown his three most recent save opportunities.

Backman said starting will give Glant an opportunity to work with JetHawks pitching coach Dan Carlson on developing a slider, among other things.

``Being a closer, you might have to get up every night and get hot, so there's really no time to work with a kid other than in spring training or instructional league. This way he still gets a lot of innings, and we get a chance to work with him,'' Backman said. ``He's a prospect, and you want to be able to work with those guys.''

--Also: Quentin was 0 for 3 in Tuesday's game, ending a 10-game hitting streak, but was hit by a pitch in the first inning for a second consecutive day and for the 10th time this season. ... Cota was 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly in Tuesday's game, and already has six RBI in 14 at-bats. ... After going 1 for 13 in three games following a bout with a viral infection, D'Antona is 3 for 8 in his last two games, and was 2 for 4 with two doubles on Tuesday.

Gideon Rubin [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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- Jarred Ball

JetHawks' leadoff hitter