JetHawks Survive Scare, 10-9

LANCASTER — It was “Turn Back the Clock Night” at the Hangar on Friday.

The JetHawks, paying homage to the early weeks of their history (read: last month) did the unthinkable: they won their second straight game.

And they did it in memorable fashion.

The JetHawks blew a two-run lead by giving up three runs to the Modesto A’s in the top of the ninth, but they scored twice in the bottom of the inning to pull out a 10-9 victory.

Jason Cook’s infield single off the glove of Modesto pitcher Steve Connelly drove in the winning run, sending most of the announced Hangar crowd of 4,540 to its feet.

“It’s a momentum builder, that’s what this is,” said a beaming Cook as he signed autographs after the game. “We’ve been waiting for a game like this, where we got the hits when we needed them.”

It gave the JetHawks their first back-to-back victories since April 26-27.

Mike Lanza and Andy Augustine led off the bottom of the ninth with consecutive singles. Luis Molina lined a single into left field with the A’s expecting a bunt, driving in the tying run.

Marcus Sturdivant then singled to right, but pinch-runner Carlos Villalobos was thrown out at the plate, extending the game just long enough for Cook’s heroics.

The JetHawks led, 8-6, in the ninth with reliever Tom Szimanski (2-2), who was perfect in five previous save opportunities, on the mound. But Szimanski gave up singles to Randy Ortega and Juan Dilone and walked Jose Castro to load the bases. Mike Neill singled in a run, another scored on a double play and the go-ahead run scored on Ben Grieve’s single.

The JetHawks increased the lead in the second inning, when James Clifford doubled home a run--his first run batted in since May 14--and scored on an error. Molina then drove in a run with a flyout.

Shane Monahan completed the scoring in the inning with a three-run home run to right field, making the score 6-0. It was Monahan’s fifth home run, but his first since May 7.