JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: JETHAWKS MOVING CLOSER TO 500TH VICTORY.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LAKE ELSINORE - The JetHawks are closing in on a significant milestone.

Entering Wednesday night's game at Lake Elsinore, the JetHawks' overall record since the franchise's 1996 inaugural season was 494-491.

If they play .500 or better the next two weeks, they'll win their 500th game on the road, where they play eight of their next 12 games. The soonest they could reach 500 would be Tuesday, when they open a six-game trip (two games against Inland Empire, and then four against High Desert).

If they lose seven or more of their next 12 games, they'll have a chance to win it at home against Rancho Cucamonga during a four-game series starting April 21.

The JetHawks won their first game in franchise history April 4, 1996, an 8-3 season-opening victory at Bakersfield when they were a Seattle Mariners affiliate with a team that featured fan favorites Jose Cruz Jr., Shane Monahan and Carlos Villalobos.

``It's not going to change the way we go about our business,'' JetHawks manager Mike Aldrete said. ``Like most of these things, you're better off going about your business the way you normally go about it. When it happens, then you take a little time to reflect and feel good about the moment, but until then I'm having a hard-enough time keeping everyone focused on what we need to focus on.''

--Pitching in: The dynamics of the stadium in which they play dictate it probably won't last long, but four games into the season, the JetHawks are second in the California League with a 2.16 team ERA.

The JetHawks have received outstanding starting pitching, with all four starters going at least five innings and combining for a 2.53 ERA in 21 1/3 innings.

Doug Slaten, who wasn't involved in the decision in Tuesday night's 11- inning, 4-3 loss to Lake Elsinore, allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings (the team's longest outing). Lance Cormier, tonight's scheduled JetHawks starting pitcher, allowed one unearned run in five innings in the team's opener.

The JetHawks' bullpen has been even better, combining for a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings.

``Everybody wants to outdo each other,'' starter Matt Henrie said. ``When somebody does well, you want to go out and pitch better than them. It's a great competition, it makes us all better.''

--Outfield shuffle: The JetHawks shuffled several outfielders in Tuesday's game. Jaime Jones, who'd been the designated hitter in two of the JetHawks' first three games, played left field. Left fielder Jay Garthwaite played center, and center fielder Marland Williams was the designated hitter.

Garthwaite threw out a runner at the plate in the second inning, his second outfield assist in the past two games.

``He (Garthwaite) signed as a center fielder, and we consider him a prospect, so we've got to see him everywhere,'' Aldrete said. ``In 140 games, I'm going to try to give everyone a little look-see at different places.''