Koby Clemens 10th Inning Home Run Gives JetHawks 8-7 Win

7/9/2009

Koby Clemens 10th Inning Home Run Gives JetHawks 8-7 Win
Clemens also throws out runner to end game; Lancaster wins four out of six on road trip

(RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA) – In a game that would seemingly come down to who would make the final mistake, the Lancaster JetHawks threw out a runner at first base in the bottom of the tenth inning to end a wild, back-and-forth game. Catcher Koby Clemens made the game-ending throw just minutes after he hit a three-run homer in the top of the tenth inning to give Lancaster an 8-7 win. The victory gives the JetHawks their first winning road trip of the season as they took four out of six games.

The wild finish capped off a series of high and lows for both teams. Lancaster led 1-0 through the early innings on T.J. Steele’s RBI single. Rancho Cucamonga tied the game in the fourth inning before pulling front. The Quakes were up 4-2 heading into the seventh inning, but a pair of JetHawks hits, a hit batter, and a costly Quakes error gave Lancaster three runs and a 5-4 advantage.

That advantage held until there were two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning. But Rancho Cucamonga answered the JetHawks magic with a bloop single to center field to tie the game and force extra innings.

The first two men in the tenth inning struck out, but Steele legged out a double and Matt Weston walked. Clemens then parked a home run over the center field wall for what proved to be the game-winning homer. It’s the second time Clemens has hit a winning homer in the tenth inning against the Quakes this year. In fact four of Clemens’ six home runs this season have come against Quakes pitchers.

Rancho Cucamonga scored two runs in the bottom of the tenth inning and put the tying runner, Carlos Colmenares on first base. Clemens blocked a tough pitch in the dirt and Colmenares edged too far away from the base. Clemens picked up the ball and gunned it to first to pick off the runner and seal the win.

The JetHawks return home Friday night to open a four-game series against Inland Empire. Leandro Cespedes (4-6) starts for Lancaster against the 66ers Mario Alvarez (1-2). The game will begin at 7:00 with the radio broadcast carried live on Magic 1340 AM and online at JetHawks.com. The Pre-Game Show starts at 6:45.

The JetHawks return home Friday, July 10 to open a four-game homestand against the Inland Empire 66ers. Great ticket packages, including season tickets and flexible mini-plans, are on sale now for the 2009 season and may be ordered by calling (661) 726-5400. For more information, please visit the JetHawks official website www.JetHawks.com.