JetHawks’ Pitching Quells Storm, 11-4

LAKE ELSINORE —  The JetHawks’ starting pitchers--the best in the league, according to Manager Dave Brundage--picked the most important time in the season to finally back up Brundage’s words.

Ace right-hander Ken Cloude gave the JetHawks their seventh consecutive outstanding effort in an 11-4 victory over the Lake Elsinore Storm on Wednesday night at the Diamond, pulling his team closer to the playoffs.

The Storm dropped out of first place for the first time since July 28 and into the top spot for the Southern Division wild-card berth. The JetHawks (29-30 in the second half, 65-64 overall) trail the Storm by 3 1/2 games with 11 games to go.

Lake Elsinore Manager Mitch Seoane said he is not surprised by the JetHawks’ run.

“If you ask me they have been underachieving all year. I think they have the best talent in the division,” Seoane said.

Their playoff hopes have been rescued by the starting pitchers, who have helped the JetHawks win five of their past seven games. They have allowed 12 earned runs in 52 innings during that span, a 2.07 earned-run average.

“Every pitching staff has rivalries,” Cloude said. “If all the pitchers are throwing seven or eight innings and giving up one run that makes you want to keep it going. It’s the kind of streak we need right now.”

Cloude (15-4) gave up one run in seven innings, scattering four hits and striking out four. He ran into his most serious trouble in the fourth inning, when he walked two and gave up a single, loading the bases with one out. But Cloude struck out Greg Morris, then blew a fastball past Jed Dalton for a called strike three.

As the JetHawk lead grew, Cloude just threw first-pitch fastballs over the plate and let the impatient Lake Elsinore hitters get themselves out.

The JetHawks bolted to a 4-0 lead before Lake Elsinore even came to bat, silencing the crowd of 6,571.

After Shane Monahan drew a walk to lead off the game, Carlos Villalobos, Scott Smith and Jesus Marquez all singled. After a fielder’s choice, Chris Dean hit a sacrifice fly and Josh Watts doubled, driving in the fourth run.

Marquez’s single extended his hitting streak to 11 games. It is his third streak this season of 10 games or more.

JetHawks 11, Lake Elsinore 4

JetHawks: 401 120 201 -- 11 10 3

Lake Elsinore: 100 000 030 -- 4 6 2

Cloude, Niemeier (8), Daniels (8) and Augustine, Wathan (4); Keling, Hollinger (3), Eichhorn (6), Haynes (8), Holdridge (9) and Hemphill.

W--Cloude (15-4).L--Keling (0-1).

2B: J--Villalobos, Watts, Lanza, Clifford. LE--Urso.HR:Clifford (19).

Records: JetHawks 29-30; Lake Elsinore 34-26.