JETHAWKS SUFFERING FROM OUTAGE LINEUP MISSING POWERFUL BATS OF WILLIAMS, SILVESTRE.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LAKE ELSINORE - Utility companies in the Antelope Valley have warned that increased air conditioning usage during the recent heat wave might cause a service interruption.

While local residents haven't been cut off from their electrical supply, a power outage has indeed hit. It has nothing to do with the record-breaking temperatures, but as a result of injuries to the JetHawks' two most dangerous long-ball threats.

Peanut Williams, last season's team MVP who hit 26 homers in less than half a season, had surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow last Monday and is expected to be out until early August.

Juan Silvestre, who led the California League in home runs with 10 and led all of professional baseball with 49 RBI before he pulled a hamstring beating out an infield single last week, is likely out for another week.

It is now Day 6 of the power outage.

The JetHawks haven't hit a home run since last Thursday, when Scott Maynard hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth inning of a 9-7 victory over San Bernardino.

Going into Wednesday's game against Lake Elsinore, the JetHawks were homerless in five consecutive games. They are 2-3 over that stretch, going 41 consecutive innings without a home run.

``Silvestre and Peanut have the potential to tie a game up or win ballgames with one swing,'' JetHawks outfielder Terrmel Sledge said. ``We're just going to have to play more small ball.''

Sledge, the league's leading hitter before Tuesday with a .389 batting average, extended his hitting streak to 11 games as he went 2 for 4. Sledge has now hit safely in 20 of his last 21 games.

Third baseman Bo Robinson extended his hitting streak to 12 games Tuesday; he went 3 for 5.

``We're still scoring runs,'' JetHawks hitting coach Dana Williams said. The JetHawks have scored 33 runs in their last five games.

``It changes our game a little bit,'' Williams said of the absence of Williams and Silvestre. ``We just have to make sure we do the little things.''

--Missed opportunities: In their loss to Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, the JetHawks (28-18), who have the best record in the California League, couldn't get the big hit they have been getting on a regular basis this season.

Six of the nine baserunners they left stranded were in scoring position, and in the top of the seventh, after loading the bases with none out, the JetHawks scored just once, as a result of a throwing error.

Instead, Harvey Hargrove and Scott Maynard struck out and the Storm got out of the inning when Guillermo Martinez grounded out.

``We swung the bat well,'' Dana Williams said, noting that the JetHawks had 13 hits in the game. ``The only complaint I had was that when we had the bases loaded we didn't put the ball in play.''

Martinez, the hero the previous night when he had a two-run single in the top of the eighth that snapped a 4-4 tie in a 6-4 win over High Desert, stranded eight baserunners Tuesday against the Storm.

--Injury update: The JetHawks are awaiting results of an MRI to determine the severity of a wrist injury to infielder Willie Bloomquist. Bloomquist was injured while swinging at a pitch in the top of the first inning Monday against High Desert. He remained in the Antelope Valley pending results of the test.

Peanut Williams had his stitches removed Tuesday. Williams and Michael Abate, who was refitted with a new cast on his broken left hand, were sent to Peoria, Ariz., on rehabilitation assignments.

Outfielder P.J. Williams, who suffered a broken hand sliding into third base earlier this season, hit balls off a tee Tuesday and is expected to be activated for next Tuesday's game against San Bernardino.

--All even: When the JetHawks face the Storm, nobody seems to be able to get the upper hand.

In typical fashion, the two teams have split their first two meetings this season, making their overall records against each other 42-42 dating back to 1996.

The last two seasons, the teams are 10-10 against each other.

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Photo: (ran in AV edition only) Juan Silvestre was leading the Cal League in home runs with 10 when he pulled a hamstring last week. He is out for another week.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer