Play at the Plate Gives JetHawks 7-6 Win at Modesto

6/28/2010

Play at the Plate Gives JetHawks 7-6 Win at Modesto
Runner caught trying to score on pitch in the dirt ends the game

(MODESTO, CA) – A pair of unlikely plays provided the final two outs Monday night as the JetHawks opened a six-game Northern Division road trip with a 7-6 win against the Modesto Nuts. A pick-off put Lancaster in prime position to close out the win and a throw to the plate after an errant pitch closed out the win. The JetHawks have won back-to-back games.

Lancaster opened up an early lead, led by seven hits in the second inning. Barry Butera, Albert Cartwright, Andy Simunic, and Lee Cruz all had RBI hits. Consecutive run-scoring doubles by Brandon Barnes and Cruz in the fourth inning put the JetHawks on top 7-1.

The Nuts got back into the game, closing the gap to three and driving JetHawks’ starter Shane Wolf out of the game in the fourth inning. Reliever Patrick Urckfitz restored order, throwing four perfect innings before allowing two runs in the eighth to put Modesto to within one.

Excitement followed in the ninth. With one out and the tying runner at first base, Brian Wabick came out of the JetHawks bullpen and picked off the runner. A pair of errors, however, left the Nuts with runners at the corners and two outs. Edwin Walker entered to pitch and buried a breaking ball in the dirt. The runner at third tried to score, with catcher Federico Hernandez just barely flipping the ball to Walker covering the plate in time to record the final out.

Cruz had four hits in the win, driving in three runs in the process. Urckfitz matched a career-high with seven strikeouts and Walker earned his first save.

The JetHawks northern road trip continues Tuesday night in Modesto. The JetHawks will send Kyle Greenwalt (2-5) to the mound against the Nuts’ Rob Scahill (4-4). The game begins at 7:05 PM. The game will be broadcast starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:50 on CSN@JetHawks.com and NewsTalk 1380.