Nuts held to three hits

(MODESTO, CA) - Lancaster starter Robby Donovan hurled his first career complete game and made it a three-hitter. Unfortunately for Donovan and the JetHawks, those three hits ended up being just enough for the Modesto Nuts. The Nuts used a pair of singles and a little small ball to defeat the JetHawks 2-1 Friday night at John Thurman Field.

Lancaster opened the game with a run. Austin Wates singled and stole second base. He scored on a double from David Flores, the first hit for Flores since his return to the JetHawks. That would be the JetHawks' only run, despite the fact that five times Lancaster got the lead-off batter on base.

Despite the slow offensive production, it looked like Donovan might make the one run stand up. He walked a man in the first inning, but took a no-hitter into the fifth. In a replay of the previous night, however, it was a walk and an error that first cost Lancaster. Donovan walked the lead-off hitter in the sixth inning. He then a fielded a sacrifice bunt but an errant throw for an error left both runners safe. That set up a sacrifice fly by Delta Cleary, Jr. that tied the score.

Cleary struck again in the eighth inning with a two-out single to plate the eventual winning run.

Only three pitchers have turned in complete games this year in the California League and two of them have been JetHawks. Besides Donovan's effort, Jake Buchanan pitched a complete game shutout on the first of May.

The JetHawks will finish the series Saturday night in Modesto. Jose Cisnero (3-4) will pitch for Lancaster against Chad Bettis (3-3) of the Nuts. The contest will begin at 7:05 and will be broadcast live on radio by 87.7 Kickin' Country and online at CSN at JetHawks.com (click the listen live link). The Pre-Game Show starts at 6:50.

The JetHawks return home Sunday, June 5 to open a three-game series against the Lake Elsinore Storm. For tickets and other information, call (661) 726-5400 or visit JetHawks.com.