JetHawks drop second straight to Blaze

LANCASTER, Calif. - The JetHawks dropped their second game in a row to the Bakersfield Blaze, 9-7, on Friday night at The Hangar.

Nolan Fontana drove in three runs with a triple and Zach Johnson hit a two-run home run but the offensive output wasn't enough on a night when the Blaze recorded season-highs in runs scored and hits (16).

David Rollins, who hadn't allowed an earned run in 13 innings pitched this season, cruised through the first three innings before allowing four runs in the fourth. Bakersfield collected six hits in the fourth against Rollins.

Lancaster answered back with four of its own in the bottom of the inning. Fontana's triple tied the game and he scored on a Johnson ground ball to take a 5-4 lead.

Rollins couldn't hold the lead in the fifth. After picking up two outs, the Blaze put up another four runs. Two of them came on a Dominic D'Anna home run. Rollins (2-1) ended up allowing eight runs on 10 hits and picked up the loss.

Tyson Perez was strong in his "piggy-back" start. The right-hander allowed one run, on a Juan Duran solo home run in the ninth inning, over four innings of work. He allowed six hits and struck out one.

Johnson's home run got the JetHawks back within a run but the JetHawks couldn't put together a rally in the ninth. Brian Pearl tossed a scoreless inning to pick up his first save.

Pat Doyle (1-0) picked up the win, allowing two runs in three innings of relief. Tanner Robles, the Blaze starter, struck out nine in four innings and walked five. He allowed five runs.

The JetHawks take on the Blaze in the third game of the series on Saturday night at The Hangar. Luis Cruz will start and Aaron West will be the tandem starter. Carlos Contreras is slated to pitch for the Blaze. First pitch is at 7:00 pm.

The first 1,000 fans in attendance on Saturday night will receive replica 2012 Championship Rings presented by LoanMart.

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.