Homers, small ball yield second straight win

Frias, Holmes combine for 11 strikeouts, walk none

By Spenser Smith

April 26, 2015

LANCASTER, Calif. - A back-and-forth battle including four home runs saw the JetHawks defeat the Modesto Nuts, 5-4, on Saturday night at The Hangar.

With reliever Matt Carasiti (0-2) on the mound in the eighth inning for Modesto (6-11), Jose Fernandez drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Jobduan Morales scored Fernandez on a base hit to right field to give the JetHawks (10-7) the 5-4 lead.

Tandem starter Brian Holmes (1-1) turned in four scoreless innings for Lancaster, earning the win after striking out five and allowing just two hits.

Nuts starter Antonio Senzatela departed with one out in the fourth, having allowed four runs on six hits and three walks.

Edison Frias, meanwhile, yielded four runs (two earned) in five innings pitched for the JetHawks. He struck out six while walking none and allowing five hits.

Lancaster took the lead on a solo homer by Ronnie Mitchell in the bottom of the fourth, but Modesto immediately tied the game once more on a Raimel Tapia RBI groundout in the fifth.

Dillon Thomas hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning for the Nuts to tie the game at 3-3.

The JetHawks quickly retook the lead in the bottom of the third. With a runner on first, Chan-Jong Moon lifted a fly ball to deep right field. The ball caromed off Modesto right fielder Jordan Patterson's glove and fell over the wall for a two-run homer.

The Nuts had tied the score at 1-1 on a Michael Benjamin RBI single in the top half against Frias.

A.J. Reed gave the JetHawks their first lead via a solo home run in the bottom of the second. The homer was his third of the season and his first at home.

The JetHawks will close their series with Modesto Sunday at The Hangar. Zach Morton (0-0, 5.25) will start for Lancaster, and Konner Wade (1-1, 5.29) will pitch for the Nuts. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Don't miss a moment of exciting JetHawks action as they look to defend their 2014 California League title. Season tickets and other great ticket packages are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400, or visit jethawks.com.