The Lancaster Jethawks powered up for four home runs Wednesday night, including a Rio Ruiz grand slam, to rout Rancho Cucamonga 16-3 and secure the South division first-half title. The Jethawks also got homers from DH Jack Mayfield, 1B Conrad Gregor and C Roberto Pena.
With the win, Lancaster improved to 43-24 and maintained their lead in the South division at four games over Lake Elsinore, who beat High Desert. (This is a correction. I originally said LE lost to HD, they didn’t). The first half ends Saturday.
Bakersfield claimed the North division title on Saturday.
While Ruiz paced a 19-hit attack, the club also got solid pitching from starter RHP Chris Devenski (4-5) and two relievers to hold the Quakes to three runs. Devenski went six innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits and no walks while striking out seven. RHP Matt Heidenreich pitched two clean innings in relief and RHP Daniel Minor allowed a run on three hits in the ninth.
Cal League teams play tonight and Saturday before starting the All-Star Break. The California/Carolina League All-Star Game is on Tuesday, June 17th, with League action resuming on Thursday, June 19th, all teams starting over at 0-0.
