JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: JETHAWKS LIKELY TO STAND PAT WITH POTENT LINEUP.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Arizona Diamondbacks farm director Tommy Jones asked Mike Aldrete whether the JetHawks' manager needed anything for the stretch playoff drive.

Whispers of Aldrete receiving 2003 first-round pick Conor Jackson, whose big bat remains at short-season Yakima (Wash.), have been circulating at Lancaster Municipal Stadium.

Certainly someone at Yakima, or perhaps low Single-A South Bend (Ind.), could help the JetHawks overtake fellow wild-card hopeful Inland Empire. Especially with a critical four-game series against the 66ers beginning today.

``Tommy asked me, `If you could pick a spot that will really, really help you guys out, we'll see if we can't fill it,' '' Aldrete said. ``But you know what, it doesn't make sense. Because if you bring somebody in to get us to the promised land, and one of these guys that has been here all year long is going to have to sit here all year long, or get no playing time or go home, I don't need that.''

The JetHawks lost many of their best players throughout the season - Chris Snyder, Josh Kroeger, Matt Henrie, Sergio Santos - to promotions. Despite that, they remain within reasonable distance of Inland Empire for a postseason berth.

The weekend series could either put the JetHawks closer to the 66ers or knock them out of contention with about two weeks remaining. Aldrete all but said there won't be any roster moves.

``I happen to have no problem going through the last three weeks with what we have,'' he said.

Not that the JetHawks don't lack capable holdovers. The core of the California League's best offense is intact. Kyle Nichols, Dan Uggla and Jay Garthwaite are among the league's top five in homers and RBI.

Marland Williams and second baseman Danny Richar have also been lineup staples. Later additions like Edgar Varela and Mike Thiessen have made significant contributions in the everyday lineup.

The JetHawks are hitting .327 at The Hangar, which should challenge Inland Empire's league-best 3.93 ERA.

``The end of the season is coming up, and this is a big series,'' Uggla said. ``It's going to turn the tables whether we're going to have a chance to make the playoffs or not.''

But Aldrete believes in the 25 players in his clubhouse. He doesn't expect Jackson to move from Yakima, which, like Lancaster, is contending for a playoff berth, though he'd like the Woodland Hills resident's power stroke in his hitter-friendly ballpark.

Then again, it would be difficult for Aldrete to sit veteran outfielders such as Garthwaite, Williams or Jaime Jones.

``I'd just as soon go to battle with the guys that have been on the squad most of the year,'' Aldrete said. ``I think we're pretty much going to stay right where we are.''

--McStarter: Cliff McMachen will get another chance to start tonight in place of promoted Scott Barber. McMachen has started much of his career but pitched out of the bullpen in 28 of 29 appearances in Lancaster.

He hopes for a better performance than his first start. Last Sunday in Stockton, McMachen lasted 3 1/3 innings. He allowed six hits and four earned runs. The left-hander was one of the JetHawks' top middle relievers and setup men (5-3, 3.40 ERA, one save).

``Being a starting pitcher is like being the 3-hole hitter,'' McMachen said. ``For me to get a chance to be put in the starting rotation is an awesome opportunity. I'm going to try to make the best of it and do a little better than I did (on Sunday).''

--Odds and ends: The pitching matchups for the Inland Empire series: Tonight - McMachen vs. 66ers right-hander Ryan Ketchner (11-7, 3.93); Saturday - JetHawks' right-hander Mike Schultz (1-2, 5.61) vs. left-hander Glenn Bott (6-6, 3.17); Sunday - JetHawks' right-hander John Castellanos (6-1, 4.56) vs. right-hander Elvis Perez (3-4, 4.74); Monday - JetHawks' left-hander Keith Whatley (3-3, 5.08) vs. left-hander Troy Cate (8-10, 4.07). ...

Richar didn't start Wednesday's game after jamming his left shoulder Tuesday. He told Aldrete he could play if needed, and he entered the game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning. ...

Williams' first-inning single Wednesday extended his team-high hitting streak to 19 games. He then struck out in six consecutive at-bats, a Cal League single-game record. But Williams did drive in the game-winning run in the 15th inning when he was hit by pitch.

Chris Cocoles, [phone]

chris.cocoles(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

DAN UGGLA

Infielder is among the California League's leaders in homers and RBI.