66ers Down JetHawks 7-3, Kruger Notches Four-Hit Day

Lancaster, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino improved to 4-0 in 2018 at The Hangar in Lancaster with a 7-3 Memorial Day win against the JetHawks. Inland Empire (26-25) got strong pitching from the duo of Matt Ball and Jeremy Beasley and notable plate-performances led by Jack Kruger and Alberto Triunfel.
Lancaster took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Manny Melendez drilled a homer to open the day for the JetHawks (24-27). That was the only run allowed by Ball who tossed the first four innings giving up three hits and two walks with five Ks. The Sixers tied the game in the second when Jack Kruger singled and stole second; he eventually tied the game coming home on Jonah Todd's RBI grounder. The Sixers took a lead in the sixth against Ty Culbreth (1-2) as Kruger opened the frame with a solo shot out to left, his third of the year. Roberto Baldoquin then smashed a ball off the wall in center and raced around the bags for an inside-the-park homer, his first HR of the season. In the eighth the Sixers took advantage of an inning-extending error and a pair of walks when Triunfel drilled a three-run double to right center for a 6-2 lead. The Sixers shortstop finished the day 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a bunt single and a walk with three RBI. Jahmai Jones followed with a RBI triple to right, his fifth of the year, to cap IE's scoring. Kruger finished the contest with his second four-hit performance of the season and the sixth time an Inland Empire hitter has accomplished that feat this season. Beasley (1-0) tossed five innings in relief of Ball allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with no walks and five Ks to earn his first Cal League win.  
The series continues Tuesday at 6:35 pm. The contest can be heard live at 66ers.com.