JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: JETHAWKS AREN'T TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer

No offense intended to Bakersfield Blaze pitchers Tony Cosica, Chad Zerbe and Joe Horgan, but JetHawks manager Darrin Garner didn't think that trio should have made hitting such a miserable prospect.

Of Cosica, who limited the JetHawks to four hits and two earned runs in Friday's 6-5 win, Garner said: ``I think he just got lucky.''

Zerbe, who allowed four hits and one earned run over seven innings Sunday, received this review from Garner: ``We didn't hit the ball the way we should have.''

Then, regarding Horgan's five scoreless innings Monday, Garner said: ``The guy was throwing like 84 (mph) all night long and we still couldn't hit him.''

Such was the case for Garner over the weekend. His club was swept by the Blaze, losing each game by a single run.

The JetHawks managed six, four and six hits in the series.

``It was disappointing,'' Garner said of the 6-5, 4-3 and 2-1 defeats that sent the JetHawks reeling to a 16-29 record, 8-1/2 games behind South Division-leading San Bernardino.

With their top hitters, outfielder Mike Marchiano (.330) and Luis Figueroa (.356), out with injuries, Monday's lineup included four players hitting .216 or lower.

The JetHawks are tied for eighth in the 10-team California League with a .261 team batting average. The pitching staff has a league-high 5.61 ERA.

``It's really tough with two of our big thumpers out of the lineup. That's hurting us,'' said Garner, whose team couldn't take advantage of three respectable starting pitching performances by Derek Bieniasz, Brandon Parker and Jason Turman in the series. ``We had enough good pitching to put it all together.''

A bad situation: With the bats rather cold, the JetHawks couldn't afford to blow the chances they had with runners at third base and fewer than two outs in the series.

In Monday's series finale, the JetHawks had runners on second and third with no outs in the sixth. The Blaze played its middle infield back and conceded the run from third.

But Cirilo Cruz didn't put the ball in play, striking out swinging. Rafael Lopez ended the threat with a comebacker to the mound that was converted into a 1-2-3 double play.

``We really need to do a better job of situational hitting,'' hitting coach Dana Williams said. ``When the other team is giving up the run if you just hit the ball on the ground, you have to take advantage.''

Coming along: While the JetHawks were taking their batting-practice cuts Monday, Marchiano was alone in the batting cage adjacent to the clubhouse, swinging off a tee and looking anxious to return.

Marchiano, disabled since May 10 with a pulled rib cage muscle, is hoping for a return Thursday when the JetHawks close their homestand against the Mavericks.

Marchiano admitted he's eager to return, but he learned his lesson after injuring his rib on May 8. He had sprained his ankle three days before and tried to make a premature return, which contributed to his long stint on the DL.

Marchiano was the Cal League's leading hitter throughout the first two weeks of the season and is still batting a healthy .330 with 17 RBI.

``It's very frustrating. I tried to play on my ankle, but it wasn't quite ready and it cost me,'' the 24-year-old from Oak Ridge, N.J., said. ``. . . I'm looking to come back Thursday.''

Results coming: Figueroa will have an MRI on his ailing left wrist today.

Figueroa, working on a 16-game hitting streak and batting .356 (fourth in the Cal League), suffered a fractured left hand in 1998 at Wisconsin, forcing him to miss the end of the season.

Cruz control: The Hangar is going to be overtaken by Cruzes the next two days.

JetHawks first baseman Cirilo Cruz Jr. gets another crack at his cousin, High Desert Mavericks shortstop Hector Cruz Jr., in a three-game series.

Last week's encounter between the cousins of ex-major leaguers wasn't their first. They've been on opposite sides several times in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

``It's going to be a lot of fun,'' Cirilo Cruz said. ``I'm going to try and hit the ball in his direction. If he boots it and I get on base, I'll be one ahead of him.''

Cirilo Cruz's father, Tommy, a Seattle Mariners roving hitter instructor, is also in town with the JetHawks.

``I've had a lot of fun goofing around with him,'' Cirilo Cruz said of his dad.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) MARCHIANO

(2--Ran in SAC Edition only) FIGUEROA