JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: CHANGED CAST CHALLENGES TOP PLAYERS GONE; TEAM STAYS IN RACE.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Addition by subtraction seems to be working for the JetHawks. With their best players earning promotions, four in the past month, to Double-A El Paso (Texas), the JetHawks keep winning and remain in contention for a second-half title.

Entering tonight's game against San Jose, Lancaster (22-22) trails first- place Lake Elsinore by two games and is eight games behind High Desert in the wild-card race.

The JetHawks were dealt perhaps their biggest blow last Tuesday when catcher Craig Ansman, who led the team with 18 homers and was second with a .305 batting average, was sent to El Paso. But the team has responded by winning four of five.

Although they miss Ansman's bat, the JetHawks have hit eight homers in their last four games, including four Sunday in a 10-inning, 10-9 victory over the Bakersfield Blaze.

But Ansman is only the most recent player to be promoted. The JetHawks lost closer Jesus Silva in early July and starting pitcher Casey Daigle and outfielder Victor Hall two weeks ago.

Brandon Medders has converted 8 of 9 save opportunities since being appointed the team's closer. Dwight Edge, who replaced Hall as the team's everyday center fielder, has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 games, and Greg Aquino, who took Daigle's spot in the rotation, has gone 1-1 with a 4.42 ERA in three starts since joining the team.

``We're finally starting to pick each other up,'' JetHawks manager Bill Plummer said. ``You're starting to see them be a team now and they're starting to have some fun.''

Two emotional victories illustrate a new attitude in the clubhouse.

The JetHawks rallied from a 6-2 deficit entering the bottom of the seventh inning and trailed 9-8 entering the 10th in Sunday's game. In an even wilder emotional roller coaster Wednesday, Lancaster outlasted San Bernardino 15-14 in 15 innings after blowing a 7-1 lead and twice rallied from deficits in extra innings.

And the fact that the JetHawks are playing better despite their depleted talent isn't a coincidence, JetHawks first baseman Corey Myers said.

``Not having the personnel we've had even just a few days ago has added a new dimension between the players. We're talking a lot more, especially about the hitting aspect, which has really been nice,'' Myers said.

``A new pitcher comes in and now we're going to each other, 'Hey, do you remember this guy? Do you remember what he throws?,' and I think that that's helping a lot.''

--Symonds says: Catcher Grady Symonds, the JetHawks' latest addition, will be used mostly as a bullpen catcher and will see unusually little playing time, Plummer said.

Symonds started the season at rookie-level Missoula, where he batted .280 (7 for 25).

``I'm here pretty much for the experience and to learn from what I see,'' Symonds said.

A 39th-round draft selection from the University of Hawaii, Symonds was about to get on a bus for a five-game road trip at Missoula when he learned he'd been assigned to Lancaster.

``I didn't expect it, but I'm glad to be here,'' he said. ``Hopefully, next year after spring training I can come back here.''

--Hot hitters: Myers went 2 for 5 with a two-run homer Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. He's batting .404 (19 for 47) over that stretch and has at least one extra-base hit in four consecutive games. ... Chris Snyder homered in his third consecutive game Sunday. All seven of his homers and 23 of his 26 RBI have come at home. ... Jon-Mark Sprowl homered twice on Sunday for the first time in his professional career. He hadn't hit two homers in a game since the last game of his high school career.

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(ran in AV edition only) JetHawks catcher Chris Snyder, shown signaling to teammates, has shown homer-hitting power at his home stadium: 23 of his 26 RBI have come at The Hangar.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer