JetHawks Can’t Hold Lead, Lose to Modesto, 5-4, in 10

After Lancaster JetHawk reliever Rafael Rivera allowed the tying run to score on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the ninth, the Modesto A’s won 5-4 in 10 innings on Monday night at John Thurman Field.

Rivera, who had retired all eight batters he had faced in three appearances before Monday’s game, entered with runners at first and second and one out in the eighth. He got out of the inning with the lead, but allowed one run to score and the A’s pulled within 4-3.

After falling behind 2-0, the JetHawks (19-19) took a 4-2 lead with single runs in the third, fifth, sixth and eighth innings.

JetHawk starter Jeff Farnsworth came out after just two innings with an arm injury. Two Modesto runners Farnsworth left on base scored, but the JetHawk relievers Brian Sweeney and Denny Bonilla then held the A’s until the eighth.

The JetHawks begin a two-game series at Bakersfield at 7:30 tonight. They are the final games of a season-long 12-game trip on which the JetHawks are currently 6-4.

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First baseman Robert Fick, a former standout at Cal State Northridge, went two for three for Class-A West Michigan on Monday, extending his hit streak to 27 games, longest in professional baseball this season.

Fick, who also played at Newbury Park High and Ventura College, hit his 21st double and raised his Midwest League-leading average to .426.