Cruz cruises, bullpen holds for win

VISALIA, Calif. - After throwing the final four innings of Sunday's no-hitter, Luis Cruz picked up right where he left off on Saturday night.

The starter didn't allow a hit through his first three innings of work and only allowed two over five scoreless innings. Cruz (2-3) struck out five and walked two on his way to picking up the victory.

M.P Cokinos hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh to give the JetHawks what seemed to be a comfortable 6-0 lead.

Visalia then put up four runs in the seventh inning against Kyle Hallock. Matt Helm and Chris McMurray doubled to start the inning. With one out, Evan Marzilli doubled in McMurray and Jake Lamb followed with a two-run homer.

After allowing a leadoff single in the eighth inning, Hallock retired the side without allowing a run to stay ahead.

Travis Ballew struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to pick up his seventh save.

Delino DeShields had a big night and got the scoring started in the second inning with a two-run single off Visalia starter Cody Wheeler (2-1). DeShields finished 2-for-3 with two singles, two walks and two stolen bases.

Cokinos picked up a run with a single in the third inning and Joe Sclafani added an RBI-hit in the fourth.

Telvin Nash doubled to the wall in centerfield to score Preston Tucker with nobody out in the fifth inning. Lancaster would later load the bases in the inning but Raul Navarro made a diving play to start a 6-4-3 double play on DeShields to end the inning.

The Rawhide committed a season-high four errors in the game and were charged with three unearned runs.

Wheeler walked five batters over 4 1/3 innings pitched and allowed five runs (two earned). He gave up eight hits.

The JetHawks (24-17) remain a half a game behind Inland Empire in the South Division heading into Saturday's action. Visalia (25-16) falls to three games back of first place San Jose in the North Division.

The two teams will square off in the finale of the four-game series on Saturday night at 6:00 pm. Aaron West and Blair Walters will pitch for Lancaster. All the action can be heard at jethawks.com.

Don't miss a moment of the 2013 season as the JetHawks look to repeat as California League Champions. Season tickets and great ticket packages are available now. To order, call (661) 726-5400 or visit jethawks.com.