Pennant Fever Hits Lancaster

The subject has gone from whispers to quiet talk to open discussion within the past week. The JetHawks are in a playoff race.

They entered Tuesday’s game in a tie with Modesto and High Desert for first place in the California League’s Valley Division. All three teams had a 31-20 second-half record with 19 games remaining.

Manager Rick Burleson wants to win the division, and he will approach his job the same as a major-league manager during the final weeks.

“At this time of the year, I think we’re all concerned with winning because we have a chance,” Burleson said. “By this point in the season, everybody’s played. Now you go with who’s going to get the job done.

“It’s fun for us. If we were nine, 10 games out these would be the dog days. But the days go by faster.”

The JetHawks have two chances to make the playoffs--one, by winning the second-half race or, two, by finishing with the best overall record of any team that is not a first- or second-half division winner.

Lancaster (64-57) trailed High Desert (69-52) in the wild-card derby, while Modesto (63-58) was third.

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The JetHawks activated pitcher Kevin Gryboski from the disabled list. Gryboski (0-7, 9.66 earned-run average) was out with an abdominal strain.

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Today’s game: San Bernardino (Kevin Pincavitch, 5-8, 7.17) at JetHawks (Jason Bond, 3-6, 3.80), 7:15.

AROUND THE LEAGUES

Scanning Monday’s box scores: TRIPLE A--First baseman Torey Lovullo (Montclair Prep) hit his ninth home run, a two-run shot, and had two sacrifice flies for Louisville in a 7-6 loss to Buffalo. . . . Syracuse first baseman Rich Aude (Chatsworth) hit his 12th home run and drove in two runs in a 8-4 victory over Rochester. . . . Tucson catcher Bobby Hughes (Notre Dame) was five for five with two runs batted in, but the Toros lost to Calgary, 13-11. . . . Bob Scanlan (Harvard-Westlake) pitched five shutout innings and ran his record to 2-0 in Las Vegas’ 5-2 victory over Vancouver. . . . DOUBLE A--Left fielder Will Skett (Reseda) had two hits with an RBI in Knoxville’s 6-5 win over Chattanooga. . . . Second baseman David Newhan (Pepperdine) had two hits and two RBIs, including his third home run, for Huntsville in a 4-0 victory over Memphis. . . . SINGLE A--Prince William shortstop Adam Kennedy (Cal State Northridge) had two hits and three RBIs while designated hitter Stacy Kleiner (Taft) had two hits and drove in a run in a 7-6 victory over Kinston. . . . Hickory first baseman Greg Sheppard (Cal State Northridge) had two hits and two RBIs in a 5-4 victory over Hagerstown.