Wild pitch puts 'Hawks back in first

LANCASTER, Calif. - Tyler Heineman hit his first career triple in with one out in the eighth inning and scored on a wild pitch to break the tie and give the JetHawks an 8-7 win over the Inland Empire 66ers on Thursday night at The Hangar.

With Delino DeShields at the plate and two outs, Ty Kelley (1-1) uncorcked the wild pitch to allow Heineman to score. It was Inland Empire's third wild pitch of the game.

Travis Ballew allowed a double with one out in the ninth but struck out the final two hitters to finish the game and pick up his eighth save. T.J. Geith (5-0) threw a perfect eighth inning and won his team-high fifth game.

A wild pitch came in to play early in the game as well. With the game tied 1-1 and Brandon Meredith at third, starter Eswarlin Jimenez threw his first of two wild pitches to allow Meredith to score. Carlos Perdomo later singled in two runs to give the JetHawks a 4-1 lead.

Blair Walters couldn't hold the lead. The starter suffered a spout of bad luck over his 3 1/3 innings. Of the first six hits he allowed, three were bunt singles and three were softly hit ground ball hits. That, combined with three errors, spelled an early exit for Walters. Brian Hernandez doubled two in to put the 66ers back ahead and Walters was pulled from the game.

The left-hander allowed five runs (three earned) and struck out five with one walk. Jonas Dufek retired all five batters he faced, including four strikeouts, in his relief outing.

The JetHawks grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the fifth. Preston Tucker drove in two runs with his third hit of the game and another run scored on a Tyler Heineman ground ball. Tucker finished the game 3-for-4 with three singles and is now 11-for-18 in through the first four games of the homestand.

Inland Empire tied the game with runs in each the sixth and seventh innings against Tommy Shirley.

Joe Sclafani finished the game 0-for-4 to end his hitting streak at nine games.

With the win, the JetHawks (26-20) moved past Inland Empire (25-20) for first place in the South Division. They take their half game lead into Friday night's 7:00 pm game at The Hangar. Chris Devenski (3-2, 6.97) gets the start against Orangel Arenas (1-1, 6.55).

Military Appreciation Weekend continues Friday with free admission for all active duty military, courtesy of Devry University. Tickets for veterans will be sold for just $5.  

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.