Bostick solid, but bats silent against 66ers

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - JetHawks bats were unable to support a solid start by Akeem Bostick, managing just five hits in a 3-2 loss to the Inland Empire 66ers on Wednesday night at San Manuel Stadium.

Bostick pitched five strong innings for the JetHawks (48-41), allowing just one run on four hits. The right-hander tied the club's season-high with 13 batters retired between the first and fifth innings, but did not figure into the final decision.

Inland Empire (42-46) starter Jeremy Rhoades (1-0), brother of JetHawks Strength and Conditioning Coach Taylor Rhoades, retired the first seven Lancaster batters he faced in his California League debut. The right-hander struck out six and walked two while yielded just one hit over 6.1 innings.

Tyler Palmer, Bo Way and Eric Aguilera opened the bottom of the first inning with infield singles against Bostick, loading the bases with none out. An Andrew Daniel sacrifice fly to center field plated the game's first run, but Bostick recorded a strikeout and a flyout to escape the inning. The right-hander proceeded to retire the next 13 batters in a row before yielding a one-out single in the fifth to Mark Shannon, who attempted to stretch the hit into a double but was thrown out at second by left fielder Marc Wik. Wik would tie the score with a one-out solo homer in the top of the third.

Inland Empire, however, retook the lead against tandem starter Daniel Mengden (2-1) in the sixth. Bo Way led off with a single and was later thrown out attempting to steal second, but Eric Aguilera doubled and scored the go-ahead run on a Roberto Baldoquin RBI-single. Angel Rosa followed with a single to score Daniel, who had reached on a walk.

Despite allowing five hits through three innings, Mengden struck out seven batters and struck out the side in the eighth.

Lancaster managed its final run of the game in the seventh. After walking Derek Fisher, Rhoades left the game with one out, and consecutive singles by J.D. Davis and Ronnie Mitchell off reliever Brian Loconsole cut the deficit to one run.

Wik led off the eighth inning with a double, but was thrown out attempting to turn the hit into a triple. The JetHawks then had an opportunity to score, as James Ramsay singled and Mott Hyde was hit by a pitch, but both runners were left stranded.

Jacob Nottingham went 0-for-3 in the game for Lancaster, ending his hitting streak at 12 games.

The series continues on Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Keegan Yuhl (2-0, 1.11) will pitch for the JetHawks, and Victor Alcantara (4-6, 5.07) will start for Inland Empire.

Don't miss a moment of exciting JetHawks action as they look to defend their 2014 California League title. Season tickets and other great ticket packages are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400, or visit jethawks.com.