JetHawks win to clinch playoff berth
Aside from clinching a spot in the postseason, Lancaster also clinched home-field advantage for the South Division Mini-Series against either Rancho Cucamonga or Lake Elsinore. Three games remain in the regular season.
Telvin Nash started the scoring in the fourth inning, knocking a double into left centerfield with the bases loaded to score all three runners. Roberto Pena later singled to score Nash.
All four runs came off Cal League postseason all-star Roenis Elias (11-6). The left-hander left the game after the fourth inning and finished with four runs allowed on eight hits. He struck out two and walked one.
The four runs were plenty for JetHawks starter Nick Tropeano (6-3). The right-hander allowed one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
Lancaster broke the game open with six runs in the eighth inning. Delino DeShields Jr. hit a two-run home run, his first in the Cal League. Two batters later, Domingo Santana hit his 21st home run of the season on a shot that cleared the scoreboard.
The Mavs went on to commit two errors in the inning and the JetHawks took advantage with two more runs, one on a Nash RBI-hit and the other on a wild pitch.
Santana finished the game 4-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs. Pena went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and Rafael Valenzuela finished 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Each JetHawks starter had at least one hit in the game.
The JetHawks (72-65) take on the Mavericks (82-55) in the second game of the series on Saturday night at 7:05 pm at Mavericks Stadium. Colton Cain will start for Lancaster.
Game 2 of the South Division Mini-Series will be played at The Hangar on September 6th. Tickets to all potential 2012 home playoff games are on sale now. For more information please contact the JetHawks box office at (661) 726-5400.