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Hustling Hernandez helps 'Hawks halt Halo hopefuls

Centerfielder scores from first on perfect hit and run to go-ahead in 8th
June 4, 2014

LANCASTER, Calif. - Carlos Correa and Teoscar Hernandez executed a perfect hit-and-run in the eighth inning to break a tie and lead the JetHawks to a 6-5 win over the Inland Empire 66ers on Tuesday night at The Hangar.

With the game tied 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth, Hernandez took off for second on an Austin Adams (0-1) pitch and Correa swung and hit a line drive past the second baseman into right field. Hernandez hustled into third base and was waved home by manager Rodney Linares. Inland Empire's centerfielder Mark Shannon lobbed the ball to second base giving the club no shot at a play at the plate.

Jamaine Cotton tossed a scoreless ninth inning to give the JetHawks (37-23) the win and pick up his sixth save.

Lancaster had trailed 5-2 and Matt Heidenreich (1-0) entered the game out of the bullpen and gave the club a chance to come back with three one-hit innings. The right-hander struck out three without issuing a walk to earn his first win.

The comeback started in the fifth inning when Dan Gulbransen picked up two runs with a two-out single to centerfield.

Lancaster tied the game in the seventh on a Conrad Gregor RBI-single. Roberto Pena had led off with a hit and moved into scoring position on a Gulbransen grounder to second.

The JetHawks jumped on the 66ers (21-39) in the first inning. Tony Kemp led off with a double and moved to third base when Hernandez bunted a ball up the first base line. The pitcher Tyler DeLoach grabbed the ball, threw to first and hit Hernandez in the back to allow Kemp to score as the ball rolled into foul territory. Correa reached on a fielder's choice, moved to third on a single and scored on a Pena sac-fly.

Starter Kent Emanuel was unable to hold on to the lead. He allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings. Dennis Raben hit a two-run homer against him in the fifth to put the 66ers up, 5-2.

The JetHawks take on the 66ers in the second game of the series on Wednesday night at The Hangar. Chris Devenski will start for Lancaster against Mark Sappington. First pitch is 6:30 p.m.

Don't miss a moment of exciting JetHawks action at The Hangar in 2014. Season tickets and other great ticket packages are on sale now. To order, call (661) 726-5400 or visit jethawks.com.