Ruiz ends Game 3 with walk-off blast

LANCASTER, Calif. - Rio Ruiz lined a walk-off home run down the right field line to lead off the 10th inning and give the JetHawks a 4-3 win over the Visalia Rawhide in Game 3 of the Cal League Championship Series.
 
Ruiz's home run gave Lancaster a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-five series on Saturday night at The Hangar.
 
The home run was the first for Ruiz since July 30 and gave him his first RBI of the postseason. Ruiz had one walk-off hit in the regular season, a two-run double to beat the San Jose Giants during the first homestand of the season.
 
Vince Velasquez started for Lancaster but didn't factor into the decision. Visalia jumped on him for two runs on three hits in the top of the first inning.
 
The JetHawks picked up their first run in the third inning when Chan Moon blasted his first home run of the postseason to cut the Rawhide's lead in half.
 
Chase McDonald hit a towering drive to centerfield for a home run in the fourth inning to tie the game against Visalia starter Brandon Sinnery.
 
The game remained tied 2-2 into the seventh as Velasquez came back to the mound. Andrew Velazquez led off with a bloop single and Jose Queliz executed a hit-and-run on a base-hit to right field to put runners at first and third. Kevin Medrano followed with a double to give the Rawhide a 3-2 lead. Tyler Brunnemann came on in relief and retired the next three hitters to strand the runners.
 
Lancaster tied the game in the last of the seventh with an unearned run. Danry Vasquez walked against reliever Will Locante and Roberto Peña followed with a sacrifice bunt. Locante fielded the bunt and attempted to throw to second base but his throw bounced into centerfield allowing the runners to advance. Moon followed with an RBI groundout.
 
The JetHawks barely missed an opportunity in the ninth against Locante. McDonald doubled with two outs and Vasquez followed with a base hit to left field but Alex Glenn's throw to the plate beat McDonald for the final out of the inning.
 
Closer Andrew Walter (1-0) came on for the ninth and retired the side in order before pitching a scoreless 10th inning. He walked two batters in the 10th but struck out the side.
 
Reliever Joey Krehbiel (0-1) pitched a scoreless ninth inning but came back to the mound in extras and allowed Ruiz's shot to start the 10th.
 
Game 4 is Sunday at 5 p.m. in Lancaster. Kent Emanuel will make the start for the JetHawks.
 
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.