JETHAWKS WALK BY QUAKES EIGHT FREE PASSES KEY IN LANCASTER ROUT JETHAWKS 14, R.CUCAMONGA 4.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The JetHawks have been successful at many aspects of their game on their way to compiling the winningest record in the California League.

But forget the fact they lead the league in batting average and runs scored, or they were tied for the league lead in homers entering Friday night's action.

What JetHawks manager Mark Parent is most proud of is that his team has consistently led the California League in fewest walks allowed, which he says is the first thing he looks at every day when he reviews statistical data from around the league.

On Friday night, the JetHawks squared off against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who have issued more bases on balls than any other team in the league.

Appropriately enough, the JetHawks displayed their greatest strength while taking advantage of their opponents' most glaring weakness as they defeated the Quakes 14-4 before 5,237 at the Epicenter.

JetHawks starter Melqui Torres (6-4), who was credited with the win, was in control throughout as he threw seven innings of five-hit ball, allowing two runs - both earned - with eight strikeouts and no walks.

On the other hand, Rancho Cucamonga starter Omar Ortiz (3-7), who took the loss, lasted 3 2/3 innings in which he allowed six runs - two earned - on four hits with five strikeouts and five walks. Three of the five batters he walked eventually scored.

Rancho Cucamonga pitchers combined to allow eight walks in the game.

JetHawks shortstop Antonio Perez got his team going when he hit a mammoth homer that cleared the left-field scoreboard to lead off the game.

The JetHawks added to their lead in the top of the second without the benefit of a hit when Bo Robinson drew a one-out walk, took second on a wild pitch, and scored on a two-base throwing error charged to Ortiz, who fielded a dribbler off the bat of Peanut Williams and threw over the head of first baseman Graham Koonce.

The Quakes tied the game in the bottom of the second on back-to-back triples from Al Benjamin and Darren Bush, and John Adams' RBI grounder.

Lancaster broke the deadlock in the third when Jamie Bubela drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and scored on an error by shortstop Cristian Berroa.

Juan Silvestre's two-run single keyed a three-run rally in the fourth inning, in which the JetHawks capitalized on three more Rancho Cucamonga walks and chased Ortiz from the game.

The JetHawks made it 7-2 when Peanut Williams had a solo homer to left leading off the fifth.

Williams, who was 3 for 5, doubled and scored in the seventh to make it 8-2 and also had a single in a six-run rally in the ninth that broke the game open. Craig Kuzmic had a three-run triple to help key the ninth-inning outburst.

--Matchup: Right-hander Enmanuel Ulloa (8-4, 3.93 ERA) will pitch for the JetHawks tonight when they host the Lake Elsinore Storm for a one-game series. He will be opposed by right-hander Frankie Rodriguez (2-3).

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

The Chicago White Sox promoted first-round pick Joe Borchard (Camarillo High) to Single-A Winston-Salem of the Carolina League on Thursday. Borchard went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in his Warthogs debut against Frederick.

--Thursday's top performers: Barry Tolli (Newbury Park) had three hits and a stolen base for Single-A Oneonta in the continuation of a suspended game from July 30 against Williamsport. Forest Johnson (UCLA) drove in the winning run. . . .

Matt Parris (Highland) allowed one earned run on two hits in five innings for the Detroit Tigers' Gulf Coast League rookie team. . . . Wayne Nix (Monroe) improved to 8-4 for Single-A Visalia, allowing two earned runs and striking out five in six innings to beat High Desert 12-6.

- Chris Cocoles

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Box: Minor-League Report (see text)