LANCASTER, Calif. - A tough homestand wrapped up for Lancaster Thursday, as the JetHawks lost, 4-2, against Inland Empire at The Hangar. It marks the first time this season Lancaster was swept this season, and the JetHawks lost five of six at home over two series.
LANCASTER, Calif. - A tough homestand wrapped up for Lancaster Thursday, as the JetHawks lost, 4-2, against Inland Empire at The Hangar. It marks the first time this season Lancaster was swept this season, and the JetHawks lost five of six at home over two series.
Inland Empire (17-17) took the lead early on another Jared Walsh home run. Walsh hit home runs in each of the three games in the series.
Lancaster (16-18) answered in the bottom of the inning. Roberto Ramos hit a bullet that cleared the fence in right-center field to even the game, 1-1. It was the seventh home run in nine games for Ramos, who leads the league in both home runs (11) and RBI (32).
Brandon Gold (3-2) could not record an out in the fifth inning, and took the loss for Lancaster. He allowed four runs on seven hits in four innings. The bullpen pitched five scoreless frames behind Gold.
Joe Gatto (4-1) did not allow a run after the Ramos home run. He gave up just three hits over six innings to earn the win. Over the three-game series, Lancaster scored just two runs over 20 innings against Inland Empire's starters.
The JetHawks pushed a run across in the seventh to cut the deficit to two. Willie Abreu tripled with one out, and came home on a Max George single. But Lancaster could not muster any more offense despite loading the bases in the eighth inning.
The loss dropped Lancaster to 16-18 on the season and out of first place. They trail Inland Empire by a game in the South Division standings heading into the weekend.
The JetHawks head north to San Jose for a four-game set starting Friday. Rico Garcia (4-2) gets the ball in the opener against righty Raffi Vizcaino (2-2) for the Giants. First pitch from Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
