Modesto Puts Lancaster on Hold, 9-4

The Lancaster JetHawks failed to move closer to clinching a California League playoff berth and lost, 9-4, to the Modesto A’s Wednesday night at Thurman Field in Modesto.

The JetHawks (40-26) fell behind, 7-0, before Jason Regan hit a grand slam in the eighth. Modesto is 39-27.

With four games left, the JetHawks need any combination of Lancaster victories and Modesto losses totaling three to secure the Valley Division’s wild-card entry. If the teams tie, the JetHawks own the tiebreaker, having won the season series.

The A’s are attempting to qualify for the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season.

*

Tonight’s game: Lancaster (Joe Victery, 5-3, 4.62) at Modesto (Randy Niles, 3-0, 2.67), 7:15.

AROUND THE LEAGUES

The JetHawks were shut out in the California League postseason awards announced Wednesday.

High Desert outfielder Mike Stoner was chosen most valuable player and rookie of the year in the league. He is batting .359 with 32 home runs and a league-leading 137 runs batted in.

San Bernardino left-hander Ted Lilly is pitcher of the year and High Desert’s Chris Speier is manager of the year.

Outfielder Mike Glendenning (Crespi High, Pierce College), who is batting .263 with a league-leading 33 home runs, and designated hitter Mike Mitchell (Rio Mesa), who is batting .349 with 17 home runs and 104 RBIs, made the all-league team.

JetHawk players Regan, James Clifford, Chris Dean, Rob Luce and Carlos Villalobos received honorable mention, as did Rancho Cucamonga outfielders Greg Shockey (Cal State Northridge) and Gary Matthews Jr. (Granada Hills High, Mission College).

*

Scanning Tuesday’s box scores: TRIPLE A--Indianapolis reliever Roger Salkeld (Saugus) allowed one run in three innings but fell to 4-8 in a 3-2 loss to Buffalo. . . . Designated hitter Brad Fullmer (Montclair Prep) had three hits, including a double and a home run, and drove in three runs for Ottawa (Expos) in a 5-2 victory over Toledo. . . . Former JetHawk outfielder Shane Monahan had two hits in Tacoma’s 8-5 victory over Salt Lake.

DOUBLE A--Second baseman David Newhan (Pepperdine) hit his fifth home run and had three hits in Huntsville’s doubleheader with Memphis. . . . Left fielder Will Skett (Valley College) hit his third home run in Huntsville’s 8-6 victory over Carolina.

CLASS A--Left fielder Greg Shockey (Cal State Northridge) raised his average to .338 with two hits and had two RBIs in Rancho Cucamonga’s 8-7 loss to San Bernardino. . . . Shortstop Adam Kennedy (Cal State Northridge) had four hits and an RBI, and designated hitter Nate Dishington (Hoover) added an RBI double in Prince William’s 6-4 loss to Lynchburg. . . . Gabe Kapler (Taft) hit his 18th home run for Lakeland (Tigers) in a 3-2 loss to Tampa. . . . First baseman Jon Tucker (Chatsworth) had two hits, including his 25th double, for Vero Beach (Dodgers) in a 9-8 victory over Daytona. . . . Robert Fick (Cal State Northridge), most valuable player in the Midwest League, slugged his league-record 50th double and had two hits and three RBIs in West Michigan’s 7-6 victory over Rockford. . . . First baseman Pete Paciorek (Glendale College) had three hits for Clinton (Padres) in a 7-5 loss to Burlington. . . . Center fielder Darrell Dent stole his 59th and 60th bases in Delmarva’s doubleheader split with Cape Fear. . . . Outfielder Ryan Stromsborg had four hits in a doubleheader for Hagerstown. . . . Catcher Sam Voita (Granada Hills) had two hits for Hudson Valley (Devil Rays) in a 4-3 loss to Erie. . . . First baseman Andy Dominique (Alemany) hit his 15th double in Batavia’s 4-2 loss to Pittsfield.

ROOKIE--Center fielder Fernando Rios (Glendale) had two hits for Billings (Reds) in a 9-7 loss to Idaho Falls. Rios is batting .353.