Lancaster settles for split with Storm

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - The JetHawks settled for a series split in their final trip to Lake Elsinore as they lost to the Storm, 11-2, on Sunday evening at The Diamond. 

The JetHawks (46-28) dropped the final two games of the series after taking the first two against the Storm (42-32). 

Mark Appel (0-3) took the loss but matched his longest outing of the season. The right-hander went five innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits. He struck out two without issuing a walk.

Lancaster took an early lead on a Jack Mayfield RBI-double in the second inning but the Storm came back with a two-run Gabriel Quintana home run off Appel in the bottom half of the frame. 

The JetHawks scored an unearned run in the top of the third to tie the game. Diego Goris threw wide to first base on a Brandon Meredith ground ball and Tony Kemp, who started the play at second base, hustled around to come in and score.

Apple allowed a leadoff single to Dane Phillips in the fourth inning and then threw a pickoff throw away to allow Phillips to move up. He would eventually score on a Quintana sac-fly. Lake Elsinore added another run in the fifth and led 4-2 as Appel exited the game

The JetHawks had their best scoring chance in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with one out. Roberto Peña popped out and Dan Gulrbansen grounded out to end the threat. Peña finished 0-for-4 to snap his hitting streak at 14.

Lake Elsinore broke the game open in the bottom of the eighth with a seven run inning. Reliever Brian Holmes had tossed the previous two scoreless innings before he was touched up for seven runs. Holmes committed an error on a sacrifice bunt which made six of the runs unearned. 

Teoscar Hernandez was the only JetHawk with a multi-hit effort. He went 2-for-4 with two doubles. 

The JetHawks return home on Monday to begin a seven-game homestand. The Stockton Ports come to town for the first three games. Gonzalo Sanudo will take the mound for Lancaster. First pitch is 6:30 p.m.

Fans who donate a video game, game system or board game will receive a free ticket for Make A Difference Monday. All donations will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Antelope Valley. 

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