Wiley’s Late Blast Sinks JetHawks In Extra Innings

6/7/2010
Contact: Jeff Lasky

2-Run Homer lifts Visalia to 5-3 victory in 12 innings


(LANCASTER, CA) – Byron Wiley deposited a 3-2 pitch from JetHawks reliever Mike Schurz over the right field wall for a two-run home run that gave Visalia a 5-3 win over Lancaster in 12 innings in the opener of a four-game series at Clear Channel Stadium Monday.

The Rawhide grabbed the early lead by scoring a run off JetHawks starter Dallas Keuchel in the top of the first on an RBI single from Paul Goldschmidt.

Following Goldschmidt’s RBI single, the game developed into a pitchers’ duel between Keuchel and Rawhide starter Ryan Cook. Keuchel tossed four scoreless innings following the first and retired eight straight batters, including five consecutive strikeouts in the middle innings. Cook worked six scoreless innings to start the game and retired 10 consecutive Lancaster batters from the end of the first inning through the fourth inning.

Visalia scored a pair of unearned runs off Keuchel in the top of the sixth. With two one and two out, Alfredo Marte ripped a two-run triple that plated Goldschmidt and Ryan Wheeler and extended the Rawhide’s advantage to 3-0.

But the JetHawks fought back in the late innings. Lancaster scored a pair of runs off Cook in the bottom of the seventh. Rayner Contreras drew a bases-loaded walk to bring Brandon Barnes and Freddy Parejo scored moments later when Cook uncorked a wild pitch. The JetHawks knotted the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth when Albert Cartwright scored on an RBI groundout from David Flores.

The game remained tied until the 12th inning as both teams received strong relief pitching. After Schurz issued a one-out walk to Dan Kaczrowski in the top of the 12th, Wiley socked a two-run homer that proved to be the game-winning hit. T. J. Hose worked a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the 12th to pick up his first win of the season. Schurz (0-1) took the loss for Lancaster.

With the win, the Rawhide improved to 28-3o. The loss dropped Lancaster to 17-40.

The JetHawks will seek to even the four-game series when the two teams meet on Tuesday. Visalia is expected to start lefty Trevor Sinclair (3-2, 4.13 ERA). Lancaster will not name its starter until Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Tune in for all the live action beginning with the JetHawks Pre-Game Show at 6:45 p.m. on www.jethawks.com/csn and News Talk 1380-AM.

The 2010 season marks the 15th anniversary of professional baseball in the Antelope Valley, and since its inaugural game in1996, 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.