JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: JETHAWKS ARE STREAKING : LANCASTER SQUAD HAS ONE-GAME ADVANTAGE FOR WILD-CARD PLAYOFF SPOT.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

The JetHawks' four-game winning streak through Tuesday marks their second-longest of the season. Lancaster won seven straight from June 4 to June 7.

The JetHawks (70-59) have a one-game advantage over Modesto (69-60) in the wild-card playoff race. If they tie, a one-game elimination matchup takes place Aug. 31 at Modesto at 6:30 p.m. Lancaster must travel because Modesto won a coin flip for home status on Tuesday. (JetHawks owner Matt Ellis reportedly called heads.)

Royal Kingman still on throne: Brendan Kingman went 3 for 5 with a double and one RBI in Tuesday's 9-5 win over San Bernardino, increasing his California League-leading batting average to .343. The 25-year-old left-fielder upped his team-high RBI total to 77 Tuesday with a key eighth-inning single that extended Lancaster's lead to 8-5.

Kingman went into Wednesday's game with an eight-game hitting streak.

Can't catch Bass: Jason Bass stole second and third on consecutive pitches in the second inning Tuesday, eventually scoring Lancaster's first run on Karl Thompson's double. Bass has 27 stolen bases and needs two home runs for a 20-20 season, impressive considering he has appeared in only 99 games.

Bass has had a good series against San Bernardino. He homered twice to help Lancaster to a 10-9 11-inning win on Monday, then went 3 for 5 with two runs on Tuesday. Forty-seven of his 93 hits have been for extra bases.

Coming around: Right-hander John Thompson started the season 0-5 but has now won two straight, including Tuesday's six-plus inning outing that marked his longest outing. His win came on the heels of his five-inning victory Aug. 13 against Bakersfield when he yielded two runs and five hits, and struck out five.

On Tuesday, Thompson was in control until the seventh, when Nick Leach led off with a single, followed by Casey Snow's home run to center. With some cooperation from his infield, Thompson could have finished the inning but third baseman Jason Regan, shortstop Ramon Vazquez and second baseman Joel Ramirez made consecutive errors. Still with no outs, Ismael Gallo singled and Thompson was replaced by left-hander Jason Bond.

Thompson (2-5) went six innings and allowed three earned runs on eight hits and one walk - a quality start and certainly reason for optimism. Thompson, who entered the game with just 13 strikeouts in seven starts (29.1 innings), appeared to have more zip on his fastball. At 6 foot 2, 200 pounds, Thompson should have the ability to overpower batters.

Keeping track: As of Wednesday, the JetHawks have won eight of their last 11. They're 35-30 at Lancaster Municipal Stadium and 35-29 on the road.

Roadrunners make trip: Rosamond High's 45-piece marching band performed the national anthem on Tuesday.

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PHOTO (Ran in AV Edition only) John Thompson started the season 0-5 but has now won two straight.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News