McDonald, Davis continue HR derby as JetHawks top Mavs
Aug. 9, 2015
ALONSO TACANGA/Valley Press
LANCASTER — J.D. Davis’ late streak of homers has been sort of rough on Chase McDonald.
So on Sunday, when McDonald tied Davis for the team lead in long balls with a solo shot to left in the fourth inning, there was pep in the step of the first baseman as he rounded the bases.
As it’s been the theme for the past week, however, McDonald’s bounce was short-lived.
“It lasted about 30 minutes and then I got it again,” said a grinning Davis, who homered for the sixth consecutive game in the fifth inning. “(McDonald) was all mad. I just smiled at him.”
In an 8-0 win that gave the JetHawks (20-23, 57-56) a series win over High Desert (22-18, 59-51), Davis and McDonald renewed a friendly competition, while the only individuals truly in distress hailed from Adelanto.
McDonald’s blast to left off Mavs starter Trey Lambert gave him his 21st homer for the year while Davis’ two-run shot off Felix Carvallo an inning later was his 22nd, the most by an active JetHawk.
“It’s kind of a fun little game that we have going right now and hopefully we can keep it going,” said McDonald, who blasted his 20th homer in the third inning of Friday’s 8-5 win over the Mavs before Davis also hit his 20th in the following frame. “It keeps the game fun and pretty lighthearted.”
With JetHawks starter Keegan Yuhl throwing a three-hitter with five strikeouts over six innings and reliever Michael Freeman pitching three perfect frames, the fun was all for the home team, who took three of four games from the Cal League South-leading Mavericks.
Yuhl’s scoreless outing lowered his team-leading ERA to 1.58.
“My plan was just to go after hitters,” said Yuhl (3-0). “They’re an aggressive team. I just stuck with the plan.”
Taking his first at-bat since he made his JetHawks’ debut on July 27, a night where he hit a home run, outfielder Sean McMullen delivered an RBI double down the right-field line to open the scoring in the bottom of the third inning.
Davis then sliced a two-run single through the left side to give the JetHawks a 3-0 lead. He finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored.
McDonald’s shot made it 4-0 and Davis’ encore made it 6-0 before Alex Bregman singled in the seventh run through the left side in the sixth inning.
After leading off the eighth with a triple, McMullen came in to score on a Ryan Ledbetter wild pitch.
McMullen, who in two games as a JetHawk has doubled, tripled and homered, went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored.
“Swinging felt good, running around felt good,” McMullen said. “Just a bit tired toward the end, but I haven’t played in nine games, but it feels good right now to be back out there.”
It was another night to feel good about for Lancaster, which finished a seven-game homestand 4-3. Every JetHawk, with the exception of catcher Jamie Ritchie, was on base at least once.
James Ramsay drew two walks, but went 0-for-3 and saw his hitting streak end at 15 games.
The league leader in RBIs with 88, Davis now has a seven-game hitting streak. Although that's almost an afterthought when compared to his six-game homering one.
As skilled a hitter as Davis is, it’s a streak the likes of which he’s never produced before.
“Oh no, never, never. I’ve probably (homered) maybe like two or three games or something like that, but not six,” Davis said.
For McDonald, it was his fifth home run in his last eight games. He vows to continue to try to one-up Davis.
Davis is ready for the challenge, which is bad news for the rest of the league. After a day off today, the JetHawks will go on a six-game road trip starting Tuesday at Inland Empire.
“(Davis and I) are good friends and we’re going to keep it going,” McDonald said.
ALONSO TACANGA/Valley Press
LANCASTER — J.D. Davis’ late streak of homers has been sort of rough on Chase McDonald.
So on Sunday, when McDonald tied Davis for the team lead in long balls with a solo shot to left in the fourth inning, there was pep in the step of the first baseman as he rounded the bases.
As it’s been the theme for the past week, however, McDonald’s bounce was short-lived.
“It lasted about 30 minutes and then I got it again,” said a grinning Davis, who homered for the sixth consecutive game in the fifth inning. “(McDonald) was all mad. I just smiled at him.”
In an 8-0 win that gave the JetHawks (20-23, 57-56) a series win over High Desert (22-18, 59-51), Davis and McDonald renewed a friendly competition, while the only individuals truly in distress hailed from Adelanto.
McDonald’s blast to left off Mavs starter Trey Lambert gave him his 21st homer for the year while Davis’ two-run shot off Felix Carvallo an inning later was his 22nd, the most by an active JetHawk.
“It’s kind of a fun little game that we have going right now and hopefully we can keep it going,” said McDonald, who blasted his 20th homer in the third inning of Friday’s 8-5 win over the Mavs before Davis also hit his 20th in the following frame. “It keeps the game fun and pretty lighthearted.”
With JetHawks starter Keegan Yuhl throwing a three-hitter with five strikeouts over six innings and reliever Michael Freeman pitching three perfect frames, the fun was all for the home team, who took three of four games from the Cal League South-leading Mavericks.
Yuhl’s scoreless outing lowered his team-leading ERA to 1.58.
“My plan was just to go after hitters,” said Yuhl (3-0). “They’re an aggressive team. I just stuck with the plan.”
Taking his first at-bat since he made his JetHawks’ debut on July 27, a night where he hit a home run, outfielder Sean McMullen delivered an RBI double down the right-field line to open the scoring in the bottom of the third inning.
Davis then sliced a two-run single through the left side to give the JetHawks a 3-0 lead. He finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored.
McDonald’s shot made it 4-0 and Davis’ encore made it 6-0 before Alex Bregman singled in the seventh run through the left side in the sixth inning.
After leading off the eighth with a triple, McMullen came in to score on a Ryan Ledbetter wild pitch.
McMullen, who in two games as a JetHawk has doubled, tripled and homered, went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored.
“Swinging felt good, running around felt good,” McMullen said. “Just a bit tired toward the end, but I haven’t played in nine games, but it feels good right now to be back out there.”
It was another night to feel good about for Lancaster, which finished a seven-game homestand 4-3. Every JetHawk, with the exception of catcher Jamie Ritchie, was on base at least once.
James Ramsay drew two walks, but went 0-for-3 and saw his hitting streak end at 15 games.
The league leader in RBIs with 88, Davis now has a seven-game hitting streak. Although that's almost an afterthought when compared to his six-game homering one.
As skilled a hitter as Davis is, it’s a streak the likes of which he’s never produced before.
“Oh no, never, never. I’ve probably (homered) maybe like two or three games or something like that, but not six,” Davis said.
For McDonald, it was his fifth home run in his last eight games. He vows to continue to try to one-up Davis.
Davis is ready for the challenge, which is bad news for the rest of the league. After a day off today, the JetHawks will go on a six-game road trip starting Tuesday at Inland Empire.
“(Davis and I) are good friends and we’re going to keep it going,” McDonald said.