Gomez Baffles JetHawks Hitters

6/2/2010
Contact: Jeff Lasky

Bakersfield starter limits Lancaster to nine hits in 6-4 triumph

(BAKERSFIELD, CA) – Bakersfield scored three runs on four hits in the bottom of the second and Kennil Gomez tossed six scoreless innings as the Blaze defeated Lancaster 6-4 in the completion of a suspended game at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark Wednesday. Gomez allowed two runs in the first inning when the game started on April 11, but the right-hander held the JetHawks scoreless in six innings of work Wednesday.

With the JetHawks leading 2-1 in the bottom of the second, the Blaze immediately struck for three runs against Dallas Keuchel. Jared Bolden hit a leadoff double and Jose Felix followed with a single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Mike Bianucci drove in Bolden with an RBI single. Later in the inning, Davis Stoneburner laced a two-run double to left-center field. Stoneburner’s double put Bakersfield in front 4-2.

Lancaster struggled to generate offense throughout the game as Gomez limited the JetHawks to six hits and no runs in six innings.

Trailing 6-2 in the top of the eighth, Lancaster plated two runs off Blaze reliever Corey Young. After Mark Ori reached on a hit-by-pitch to start the frame, Young struck out Ebert Rosario. But David Flores belted a two-run home run over the left field wall, which made it 6-4 contest.

Unfortunately for Lancaster, Bakersfield closer Mark Hamburger had no trouble in the top of the ninth. Hamburger recorded two strikeouts and retired the JetHawks in order to seal the win and earn his fourth save of the season.

Gomez (2-3) earned the win for Bakersfield. Keuchel (1-5) took the loss for Lancaster after allowing five earned runs on 12 hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

With the victory, Bakersfield improved to 24-27. The loss dropped Lancaster to 16-35.

The JetHawks will travel to Rancho Cucamonga for a four-game series with the Quakes beginning on Thursday at 7 p.m. Lefty Brad Dydalewicz (1-5, 10.90 ERA) gets the start for Lancaster. The Quakes will counter with lefty Patrick Corbin (0-0, 3.18). Tune in for all the live action beginning with the JetHawks Pre-Game Show at 6:50 p.m. on www.jethawks.com/csn and News Talk 1380-AM KOSS.

The 2010 season marks the 15th anniversary of professional baseball in the Antelope Valley, and since its inaugural game in 1996, The Hangar has produced more than 90 Major Leaguers and inducted 25 members into the JetHawks Hall of Fame. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of 15 years of Hangar Heroes in 2010.

To lock in your seats for 2010, contact Trent Wondra at (661) 726-5400, or trent@jethawks.com. Info can also be found at www.JetHawks.com.