66ers take series opener in Lancaster, 9-2

LANCASTER, Calif. - The Inland Empire 66ers pounded out 14 hits and cruised to a 9-2 victory over the JetHawks on Friday night at The Hangar in the series opener.
Only three of the runs for Inland Empire were earned thanks to a pair of Lancaster errors. The 66ers scored once in the opening frame on an RBI single by Jared Walsh. They added five in the third, one coming on an RBI double by Walsh.
Inland Empire broke open the game even further with three runs in the fifth inning. Jahmai Jones brought in two of them with a two-run double.
Wes Rogers drove in both runs for the JetHawks. After a one-out single by Sam Hilliard in the fourth, Rogers came up with an RBI double. He delivered an RBI single in the ninth, which also scored Hilliard.
Brandon Gold (4-3) suffered the loss for the JetHawks. The right-hander allowed nine runs (three earned) on 11 hits in 4.2 innings. Max Schuh (2.1 innings) and Jonny Drozd (two) combined to finish the game for the JetHawks out of the bullpen with scoreless appearances.
Eric Manoah (1-2) picked up his first California League win with five strong innings of work. He allowed just one run on three hits with three walks and one strikeout. Lancaster-native Winston Lavendier followed with three scoreless innings out of the 66ers bullpen.
Garrett Hampson went 2-for-3 with a walk for the JetHawks. In his first game back from Double-A Hartford, Brendan Rodgers went 0-for-3 and was hit by a pitch.
The three-game series continues on Saturday night at The Hangar. Right-hander Trey Killian (11-9) will start for Lancaster. First pitch is 6:35 p.m.