BURLESON PUSHES UMPIRE IN LOSS; JETHAWKS MANAGER CLAIMS IT WAS IN RETALIATION : MODESTO 6, JETHAWKS 5.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

The JetHawks' grueling road trip, played in 100-plus degree temperatures, burst the thermometer Sunday night.

JetHawks manager Rick Burleson was not only ejected by Ryan Bleiberg, but the heated altercation between the two resulted in Burleson visibly pushing the base umpire after a bumping incident in the seventh inning of a 6-5 loss to the Modesto A's.

It was the second time Burleson had been kicked out of a game this season. Bleiberg was involved in the other as well, in Rancho Cucamonga on April 26.

The stories told by both parties conflicted. While both admitted to bumping into each other, Burleson said Bleiberg pushed him first and then he defended himself.

Bleiberg said Burleson head-butted him in the nose, which the manager denied.

``I told (Burleson) `That was a bump,' '' Bleiberg said. ``Then he head-butted me.''

Said Burleson: ``I got in his face and he accused me of head-butting him. As far as I'm concerned, he pushed me first. He shoved me and I shoved him back.''

The push by Burleson on Bleiberg was rather hard and could result in a lengthy fine and suspension once the California League office reviews the incident.

With the JetHawks forced to play catchup much of the game after the A's scored three times in the first, Jayson Bass, batting when Burleson was tossed, came right back and blasted a two-run homer in the seventh to pull the JetHawks back within a run.

But they didn't scratch out the tying run and left town even more frustrated, stranding 11 runners on base in losing the series three games to one and falling two full games behind Modesto in the Valley Division wild-card playoff race.

The JetHawks are off today and open a three-game series at Stockton on Tuesday.