Hallock, Cruz combine to no-hit Ports
LANCASTER, Calif. - The JetHawks beat the Stockton Ports, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon as Kyle Hallock and Luis Cruz combined to throw the first nine-inning no-hitter in franchise history.
With a runner at first base, Addison Russell hit a hard one-hop ground ball to Nolan Fontana at shortstop who turned a double play with second baseman Delino DeShields to finish the no-hitter.
Cruz was on the mound for the final out and the JetHawks proceeded to rush to the mound to celebrate the rare feat. The left-hander struck out four and walked one over four innings. He picked up his second save of the season.
Hallock (1-0), the starting pitcher, did not allow a hit or a walk over five innings of work in his JetHawks debut. The left-hander struck out three and only had one batter reached base against him when DeShields was charged with an error on a Max Muncy ground ball.
Offense was also sparse for the JetHawks, who totaled just two hits in the game. Their first came in the fourth inning when Andrew Aplin doubled off Ports starter Jake Brown to leadoff the frame. Aplin then moved to third on a ground ball and scored on Preston Tucker's sacrifice-fly to take the lead.
Lancaster picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when reliever Blake Hassebrock misplayed a DeShields bunt allowing Brand Meredith to score from third base.
Cruz walked Tony Thompson with one out in the ninth inning before inducing the game-ending double play.
Fontana and third baseman Matt Duffy each played their part defensively with tough plays in the field. Fontana leaped to catch a Dusty Robinson line drive to end the fifth inning and Duffy made a diving stop on an Antonio Lamas ground ball in the seventh inning.
The only other no-hitter in JetHawks history came in 2010 when they no-hit Lake Elsinore in a combined 10-inning no-hitter. Robert Donovan, Edwin Walker, David Berner, David Carpenter and Jose Trinidad pitched in the game.
It was the 10th time the Ports have been shut out in their long history. The last time was in August of 1987 against Jow Law and the Modesto Nuts.
The win was also Rodney Linares' 300th career win as a manager.
Lancaster (22-15) has now won four in a row and will attempt a four-game sweep of Stockton (18-19) on Monday morning at 11:00 am. Blair Walters and Aaron West will pitch for the JetHawks.
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.