Rodgers wins, 'Hawks hold off Nuts

LANCASTER, Calif. - The JetHawks offense rallied for 10 runs against the Modesto Nuts to win, 10-6, Saturday night at The Hangar.

Joe Sclafani, Matt Duffy, Chris Epps and Brandon Meredith each had two RBIs. M.P. Cokinos and Andrew Aplin also had one RBI apiece to give their 28th double-digit run scoring performance this season.

Lancaster put up five runs in the first inning on six hits. Nolan Fontana and Carlos Perdomo had back-to-back singles and Andrew Aplin's RBI single put Lancaster on the board first with his 70th RBI of the season. Sclafani and Duffy both followed with RBI singles and Chris Epps doubled to score them both, extending the JetHawks lead to 5-0 in the first.

Modesto starting pitcher Chris Jensen pitched two thirds of the first inning but Nelson Gonzalez came in to get the last out of the inning. Jensen gave up five runs on six hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

The Nuts answered right back in the second when Tyler Massey singled with the bases loaded. Trevor Story whacked a two-run single to make the score 5-3. In the third, the Nuts tied the game after Taylor Featherston lined an opposite field home run to lead off the inning and Will Swanner singled to score David Kandilas, who doubled.

Lancaster starting pitcher Brady Rodgers (8-5) threw five innings and allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk. He fanned a season-high six batters. T.J. Geith came in for relief in the sixth and threw three scoreless innings, striking out three and scattering three singles.

The JetHawks took the lead in the fifth when Kraig Sitton (4-4) came in to pitch for the Nuts and walked M.P. Cokinos and Sclafani. Duffy singled to pick up his second RBI of the night to give the JetHawks the lead, 6-5. Brandon Meredith lined a two-run single to put the JetHawks ahead, 8-5.

Cokinos and Sclafani both ripped RBI singles in the sixth to give Lancaster a 10-5 lead.

Michael Dimock came in to pitch for the JetHawks to close out the ninth and struck out the side, but gave up a two-out RBI double to David Kandilas.

The JetHawks (17-7, 56-38) will take on the Nuts (13-11, 45-49) in game two of the series on Sunday evening at 5:00 pm. Mike Hauschild will make his debut for on the mound for Lancaster.

The first 1,000 kids 12 and under will receive a free hot dog, chips and soda at the game plus families can play catch on the field and get player autographs prior to the game. Sunday will also be Christmas in July.

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.