JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: BRUCE MAKES MOST OF CHANCE.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Derek Bruce is an unheralded JetHawks utility infielder who takes nothing for granted.

Bruce views every at-bat as an opportunity, and to say he's made the most of his opportunities would be like saying springtime afternoons in the Antelope Valley can get a little bit breezy.

In Monday's 7-3 victory over the High Desert Mavericks, he went 3 for 3, extending a streak of 10 consecutive at-bats in which he hit safely, tying a California League record with three other players.

His remarkable streak ended when he grounded out to High Desert pitcher Cesar Herrera in his first at-bat in Tuesday's 13-6 loss to the Mavericks.

Bruce, who also tied a league record with four doubles in Sunday's 11-1 victory over Rancho Cucamonga, was 10 for 11 with five doubles, one homer, five RBI, six run scored and two sacrifices over a remarkable three-game stretch.

``He's hitting everything right now,'' JetHawks manager Bill Plummer said. ``Some of them hard, some of them soft; they're all landing for him. He's got the whammy going.''

A last-minute assignment to Lancaster to fill a roster spot at the start of the season, the right-handed hitting Bruce was projected to play once or twice a week to spell second baseman Erik Schindewolf, shortstop Danny Richar and third baseman Edgar Varela, all of whom bat left-handed.

His playing time increased from five games in April to 22 in May, mostly in place of Richar, who missed two weeks because of a jammed finger and a mild concussion.

Bruce has made a compelling case for more regular playing time. Going into Wednesday he was batting .358 (29 for 81) with nine doubles, three homers, 13 RBI and 18 runs scored.

He's been solid defensively at all three positions, committing just three errors in 27 games (18 at shortstop, four at second base and five at third).

``Guys have gotten hurt and he's gotten the opportunity to play more and he's still really stepped up,'' Plummer said of Bruce. ``Give him credit.''

Despite his amazing run, Bruce remains a role player, and his playing time figures to diminish in the coming weeks with recently signed shortstop Stephen Drew's assignment to Lancaster.

``I guess everyone on the team has a role, so that's been my role,'' Bruce said.

Bruce said a minor adjustment in his swing he made under the tutelage of JetHawks hitting coach Damon Mashore, in which Bruce is starting his swing with his bat further back, has made a major difference, allowing him to drive his bat through the strike zone quicker and recognize pitches better.

He cites his former college coach, Ed Cheff, at perennial NAIA power Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, with instilling in him the hard-nosed playing style that's helped him take advantage of the opportunities he's had.

``He was big on hustle and I guess that's kind of stuck in my head,'' Bruce said.

--Odds and ends: Tuesday's loss ended a season-high six-game JetHawks winning streak. They had also won eight in a row at home going into Tuesday. ... The JetHawks won on a Monday this week for the first time in six tries. ... Catcher Miguel Montero's solo homer in the fourth inning of Tuesday's game was his 12th of the season and fifth in five games. Montero, who has hit safely in seven consecutive games and 26 of his last 27, is among the California League leaders in each Triple Crown category. He leads the league with 49 RBI, is tied for fourth in home runs and is tied for fifth with a .357 batting average.

Gideon Rubin, [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com